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MEMORIALS  OF  OGLETHORPE. 


"  Thy  great  example  will  in  glory  shine, 
A  favorite  theme  with  Poet  and  Divine ; 
Posterity  thy  merits  shall  proclaim, 
And  add  new  honor  to  thy  deathless  fame." 

On  his  return  from  Georgia,  1735. 


/9?b3'/6/J^7 


'J'liix  sketch  was  taken  hi  rebnuiry  preceeding  fits  decease  Mrhenr  he 
■waa  readnig  vfttfn>uVSpectafle.f  at  the  sale  afthe.  library  or'  Vr  S  Jnhn.ioK 


V/.&.J.C Sharps  I.Uh.  Vox/on 


BIOGRAPHICAL   MEMORIALS 


JAMES  OGLETHORPE, 


FOUNDER  OF  THE   COLONY    OF  GEORGIA, 


NORTH   AMERICA. 


By  THADDEUS  MASON  HARRIS,  D.  D. 

MEMBER    or    THE    AMERICAN    ACADEMY    OF   ARTS   AND    SCIENCES  ;    OF  THE 
ARCH^OLOGICAL    SOCIETY  AT    ATHENS,  GREECE  ;    OF   THE    MASSACHU- 
SETTS   HISTORICAL  society;    THE  NEW  YORK    HISTORICAL    SOCI- 
ETY;   THE  AMERICAN  ANTIQUARIAN    SOCIETY;     AND  CORRES- 
PONDING MEMBER  OF  THE  GEORGIA  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY. 


BOSTON: 

PRINTED  FOR  THE   AUTHOR. 


/^V 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1841,  by  Thaddeus  Mason 
Harris,  in  the  Clerk's  office  of  the  District  Court  of  Massachusetts. 


BOSTON : 

PRINTED    BY    FREEMAN    AND    BOLLES, 
WASHINGTON   STREET. 


3H5 


TO   THE 


PRESIDENT,  THE  VICE  PRESIDENTS,  THE  OFFICERS 
AND  MEMBERS 

OF    THE 

GEORGIA   HISTORICAL    SOCIETY, 

THIS    WORK    IS 

RESPECTFULLY  DEDICATED. 


I.  K.  TEFFT,  Esq.,  WILLIAM  B.  STEVENS,  M.  D., 

AND 

A.  A.  SMETS,  Esq., 

OF  SAVANNAH; 

WITH    A    LIVELY    SENSE 

OF   THE   INTEREST   WHICH   THEY   HAVE   TAKEN 

IN 

THE    PUBLICATION    OF    THIS    WORK, 

THIS  PAGE   IS   INSCRIBED 

BY 

THEIR  OBLIGED  AND  GRATEFUL  FRIEND, 

THADDEUS  MASON  HARRIS. 


PREFACE. 


Having  visited  the  South  for  the  benefit  of  my  heaUh, 
I  arrived  at  Savannah,  in  Georgia,  on  the  10th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1834 ;  and,  indulging  the  common  inquisitiveness 
of  a  stranger  about  the  place,  was  informed  that  just 
one  hundred  and  one  years  had  elapsed  since  the  first 
settlers  were  landed  there,  and  the  city  laid  out.  Re- 
plies to  other  inquiries,  and  especially  a  perusal  of 
McCall's  History  of  the  State,  excited  a  lively  interest 
in  the  character  of  General  Oglethorpe,  who  was  the 
founder  of  the  Colony,  and  in  the  measures  which  he 
pursued  for  its  advancement,  defence,  and  prosperity. 
I  was,  however,  surprised  to  learn  that  no  biography 
had  been  published  of  the  man  who  projected  an  under- 
taking of  such  magnitude  and  importance  ;  engaged  in 
it  on  principles  the  most  benevolent  and  disinterested ; 
persevered  till  its  accomplishment,  under  circumstances 
exceedingly  arduous,  and  often  discouraging ;  and  lived 
to  see  "  a  few  become  a  thousand,"  and  a  weak  one 
"  the  flourishing  part  of  a  strong  nation." 


viii  PREFACE. 

So  extraordinary  did  Dr.  Johnson  consider  the  adven- 
tures, enterprise,  and  exploits  of  this  remarkable  man, 
that  "  he  urged  him  to  give  the  world  his  life."  He 
said,  "  I  know  of  no  man  whose  life  would  he  more 
interesting.  If  I  were  furnished  with  materials,  I  would 
be  very  glad  to  write  it."  This  was  a  flattering  ofler. 
The  very  suggestion  implied  that  the  great  and  worthy 
deeds,  which  Oglethorpe  had  performed,  ought  to  be 
recorded  for  the  instruction,  the  grateful  acknowledg- 
ment, and  just  commendation  of  contemporaries  ;  and 
their  memorial  transmitted  with  honor  to  posterity. 
"  The  General  seemed  unwilling  to  enter  upon  it  then  ;  " 
but,  upon  a  subsequent  occasion,  communicated  to  Bos- 
well  a  number  of  particulars,  which  were  committed  to 
writing;  but  that  gentleman  "not  having  been  suffi- 
ciently diligent  in  obtaining  more  from  him,"  death 
closed  the  opportunity  of  procuring  all  the  requisite  in- 
formation. 

There  was  a  memoir  drawn  up  soon  after  his  decease, 
which  has  been  attributed  to  Capel  LofFt,  Esq.,  and 
published  in  the  European  Magazine.  This  was  after- 
wards adopted  by  Major  McCall ;  and,  in  an  abridged 
form,  appended  to  the  first  volume  of  his  History  of 
Georgia.  It  is  preserved,  also,  as  a  note,  in  the  second 
volume  of  Nichols's  Literary  Anecdotes  of  the  Eigh- 
teenth Century,  with  some  references  and  additional  in- 
formation. But  it  is  too  brief  and  meagre  to  do  justice  to 
the  memory  of  one  of  whom  it  has  been  said,  "  His  life 
was  full  of  variety,  adventure,  and  achievement.  His 
ruling  passions  were,  the  love  of  glory,  of  his  country, 


PREFACE.  ix 

and  of  mankind ;  and  these  were  so  blended  together 
in  his  mind  that  they  formed  but  one  principle  of  action. 
He  was  a  hero,  a  statesman,  an  orator;  the  patron  of 
letters,  the  chosen  friend  of  men  of  genius,  and  the 
theme  of  praise  for  great  poets."  ^  The  writer  of  this 
elegant  encomium,  adds  this  remark  :  "An  authentic 

AND  TOLERABLY  MINUTE  LIFE  OF  OgLETHORPE  IS  A  DESIDERA- 
TUM." Such  a  desideratum  I  have  endeavored  to  sup- 
ply. This,  however,  has  been  a  very  difficult  under- 
taking; the  materials  for  composing  it,  excepting  what 
relates  to  the  settlement  of  Georgia,  were  to  be  sought 
after  in  the  periodicals  of  the  day,  or  discovered  by 
references  to  him  in  the  writings  or  memoirs  of  his  con- 
temporaries. I  have  searched  all  the  sources  of  infor- 
mation to  which  I  could  have  access,  with  the  aim  to 
collect  what  had  been  scattered ;  to  point  out  what  had 
been  overlooked  ;  and,  from  the  oblivion  into  which 
they  had  fallen,  to  rescue  the  notices  of  some  striking 
incidents  and  occurrences  in  the  life  of  Oglethorpe,  in 
order  to  give  consistency  and  completeness  to  a  narra- 
tive of  the  little  that  had  been  preserved  and  was  gener- 
ally known. 

To  use  the  words  of  one  who  had  experience  in  a 
similar  undertaking :  "  The  biographer  of  our  day  is  too 
often  perplexed  in  the  toil  of  his  researches  after  ade- 
quate information  for  composing  the  history  of  men 
who  were  an  honor  to  their  age,  and  of  whom  posterity 

*  GuMAN  Verplanck,  Esq.  Anniversary  Discourse  before  the  New 
York  Historical  Society,  December  7,  1818,  page  33. 
b 


X  PREFACE. 

is  anxious  to  know  whatever  may  be  added  to  increase 
the  meed  of  that  veneration,  which,  from  deficient 
knowledge,  they  can  hut  imperfectly  bestow." 

My  collected  notices  I  have  arranged  so  as  to  form  a 
continuous  narrative,  though  with  some  wide  interrup- 
tions. The  statements  of  the  most  important  transac- 
tions liave  generally  been  made  in  the  terms  of  original 
documents,  or  the  publications  of  the  day;  as  I  deemed 
it  more  just  and  proper  so  to  do,  than  to  give  them  my 
own  coloring.  And  I  must  apprize  the  reader,  that  in- 
stead of  aiming  to  express  the  recital  in  the  fluency  of 
rhetorical  diction,  or  of  aspiring  to  decorate  my  style  of 
composition   with  studied  embellishments,  my  purpose 

HAS    SIMPLY  AND  UNIFORMLY  BEEN    TO    RELATE    FACTS   IN    THE 

MOST  PLAIN  AND  ARTLESS  MANNER ;  aud  I  tmst  that  my 
description  of  scenes  and  occurrences  will  be  admitted 
to  be  natural  and  free  from  affectation;  and  my  infer- 
ences, to  be  pertinent,  impartial,  and  illustrative.  I 
hope,  too,  that  it  will  not  be  thought  that  the  detail  of 
circumstances  is  needlessly  particular,  and  the  relation 
of  incidents  too  minute.  For,  these,  though  seemingly 
inconsiderable,  are  not  unimportant;  and.  though  among 
the  minor  operations  of  active  life,  serve  to  indicate  the 
state  of  existing  opinions  and  prevailing  motives,  and 
to  exhibit  the  real  aspect  of  the  times.  They  also  have, 
more  or  less,  relation  to  forth-coming  events.  They  are 
foot-prints  in  the  onward  march  to  "enterprises  of  great 
pith  and  moment ;  "  and  hence  should  be  carefully  traced 
and  inspected.  Though  my  authorities  are  duly  noted, 
I  have  not  been  so  particular  as  to  distinguish  every 


PREFACE.  xi 

passage  which  I  had  transcribed  by  marks  of  quotation ; 
and,  therefore,  being  willing  that  this  work  should  be 
considered  as  mainly  a  compilation,  with  unassuming 
pretensions,  entitle  it  Biographical  Memorials. 

After  the  lapse  of  more  than  a  century  since  Ogle- 
thorpe entered  on  the  stage  of  action,  it  cannot  be  ex- 
pected that  the  varied  incidents  of  so  busy,  eventful, 
and  long  protracted  a  life  as  was  his,  can  be  brought 
out  and  fully  described ;  or  that  the  prominent  personal 
qualities  of  so  singular  a  character  can  be  delineated, 
for  the  first  time,  with  vivid  exactness  and  just  expres- 
sion. Not  having  presumed  to  do  this,  I  have  attempted 
nothing  more  than  a  general  outline  or  profile. 

Such  as  I  have  been  able  to  make  the  work,  I  present 
it  to  the  public.  Whatever  may  be  the  reception  which 
it  may  meet,  I  shall  never  think  the  moments  misspent, 
which  were  devoted  to  the  purpose  of  reviving  the 
memory  of  Oglethorpe,  and  of  perpetuating  his  fame 
by  a  more  full  recital  of  his  deeds  than  had  been  here- 
tofore made. 

Boston,  July  7th,  1838. 

Since  the  preceding  preface  was  written,  the  Reverend 
Charles  Wallace  Howard,  who  had  been  commissioned 
by  the  Legislature  of  Georgia  to  procure  from  the  public 
offices  in  London,  a  copy  of  the  records  of  the  Trustees 
for  the  settlement  of  the  Province,  and  of  other  colonial 
documents,  has  returned,  having  successfully  accom- 
plished the  object  of  his  mission.  It  may  be  thought 
that  these  are  of  such  importance  that  all  which  I  have 


xii  PREFACE. 

done  must  be  defective  indeed,  unless  I  avail  myself  of 
them :  and  so,  perhaps,  it  may  prove.  But  my  advanced 
old  age,  my  feeble  state  of  health,  and  other  circum- 
stances, prevent  my  doing  so.  I  console  myself,  how- 
ever, with  the  consideration  that  as  they  consist  of  par- 
ticulars relative  to  the  settlement  and  early  support  of 
Georgia,  to  which  Oglethorpe  devoted  not  quite  eleven 
years  of  a  life  extended  to  nearly  a  hundred,  they  would 
only  contribute  to  render  more  distinct  the  bright  and 
glorious  meridian  of  his  protracted  day,  —  while  I  aimed 
to  exhibit  its  morning  promise  and  its  evening  lustre;  — 
endeavoring  to  give  some  account  of  what  he  was  and 
did  forty-four  years  before  he  commenced  "  the  great 
emprise,"  and  where  he  was  and  how  occupied  forty- 
two  years  after  its  accomplishment. 

Moreover,  the  official  records  contain,  principally,  a 
detail  of  the  plans  and  measures  which  were  adopted 
and  pursued  by  the  Trustees  in  London,  or  comprise 
the  statement  of  public  grants  of  money,  and  military 
stores  and  forces ;  —  and  these  belong  to  History,  and 
not  to  Biography. 

The  Letters  of  Oglethorpe,  besure,  would  be  exceed- 
ingly interesting ;  but  I  presume  that  much  of  what 
they  refer  to  may  be  collected  from  pamphlets  and  peri- 
odicals of  the  day,  where  he  is  spoken  of  as  he  would 
not  feel  free  to  speak  of  himself.  As  from  these  I  have 
collected  the  most  material  particulars,  I  cannot  think 
that  my  actual  deficiencies  in  the  history  of  that  event- 
ful period  can  be  very  considerable  or  important. 

From  a  correspondence  with  L  K.  Tefft,  Esq.  and 


PREFACE.  xiii 

William  B.  Stevens,  M.  D.,  of  Savannah,  I  have  ob- 
tained the  clearer  statement  of  some  important  facts  and 
occurrences,  which  is  respectfully  noticed  where  intro- 
duced, and  for  which  I  render  my  grateful  acknowledg- 
ments. The  latter  gentleman  has  also  obligingly  favored 
me  with  an  article  on  the  culture  of  silk  in  Georgia, 
which  graces  my  appendix. 

I  have  done  the  best  I  could  with  scanty  store; 
Let  abler  man,  with  ample  means,  do  more; 
Yet  not  deficiencies  of  mine  decry. 
Nor  make  my  gatherings  his  own  lack  supply. 

Mat  1st,  1841. 


The  date,  at  the  close  of  the  first  preface,  indicates  that  the  pub- 
lication of  this  work  had  been  suspended.  —  A  subsequent  epistolary 
correspondence,  in  reference  to  it,  with  friends  at  Savannah,  excited 
promptings,  which  were  succeeded  by  a  list  of  nearly  two  hundred 
subscribers  for  the  volunne  in  print ;  —  a  list  that  included  the  names 
of  the  most  respectable  gentlemen  of  the  city,  among  whom  were 
those  that  held  distinguished  stations  and  filled  important  offices  in 
public  life. 

For  this  flattering  encouragement  and  honorary  patronage,  the 
most  grateful  acknowledgments  are  rendered. 


The  name  of  the  capital  of  South  Carolina  was  originally  written 
Charles-Town  and  Charles'  Town.  At  the  time  of  ihe  early  settle- 
ment of  Georgia  it  had  become  blended  in  the  compound  word 
Charlestown,  which,  being  found  in  the  documents  referred  to  or 
quoted  in  ibis  work,  is  retained  here,  though  of  later  years  it  is 
spelt  Charleston. 

In  the  following  pages  variations  occur  in  the  names  of  persons 
and  places,  principally  in  the  extracts  from  German  publications. 
This  lack  of  uniformity  in  some  instances,  as  also  a  few  verbal 
errors  in  others,  was  not  detected  till  the  sheets  had  passed  the 
press. 

"  Acres  circumfert  centum  licet  Argus  ocellos, 
Non  tainen  errantes  cernat  ubique  typos." 


CONTENTS. 


The  chapters,  into  which  this  work  is  divided,  are  with  reference 
to  somewhat  distinct  portions  of  the  history;  and  may  be  liiiened 
to  a  suit  of  apartments  in  a  capacious  house;  some  large  and  some 
small,  variously  furnished,  and  with  different  prospects  abroad  ;  but 
yet  adjoining  each  other,  and,  if  but  fitly  framed  together,  adapted 
to  a  duly  constructed  edifice. 


CHAPTER   I. 

Parentage  of  Oglethorpe  —  Birth  —  Christian  Name  —  Educa- 
tion—  Blilitary  Profession  and  Promotion  —  In  the  Suite  of 
the  Earl  of  Peterborough  —  Service  under  Prince  Eugene  of 
Savoy —  Elected  Member  of  Parliament  —  Visits  a  Gentle- 
man in  Prison  —  Moves  in  the  House  of  Commons  for  a 
redress  of  the  rigors  of  Prison  Discipline  —  Appointed  on 
the  Committee — Extracts  from  his  Speeches  in  Parlia- 
ment  1—24 

CHAPTER  II. 

Oglethorpe  appointed  first  a  Director,  and  then  Deputy  Governor 
of  the  Royal  African  Company  —  Takes  a  compassionate  in- 
terest in  the  situation  of  an  African  kidnapped,  sold  as  a  slave, 
and  carried  to  Annapolis,  in  Maryland,  a  Province  in  Nortb 


Xvi  CONTENTS. 

America,  who  proves  to  have  been  an  Iman,  or  assistant 
Priest,  of  Futa,  and  was  named  Job  Solomon  —  Causes  him 
to  be  redeemed,  and  sent  to  England,  where  he  becomes  ser- 
viceable to  Sir  Hans  Sloane  for  his  knowledge  of  Arabic ; 
attracts  also  the  notice  of  persons  of  rank  and  distinction, 
and  is  sent  back  to  Africa,       .        .        .        .        .        24  —  38 

CHAPTER  HI. 

Project  for  settling  the  south-eastern  frontier  of  Carolina  —  A 
Charter  granted  for  it,  by  the  name  of  Georgia  —  Trustees 
appointed,  who  arrange  a  plan  of  Settlement —  They  receive 
a  grant  of  Money  from  Parliament,  and  from  Subscriptions 
and  Contributions —  Oglethorpe  takes  a  lively  interest  in  it  — 
States  the  Object,  and  suggests  Motives  for  Emigration  —  A 
Vessel  hired  to  convey  the  Emigrants  —  Oglethorpe  offers  to 
accompany  the  intended  Colonists  —  His  disinterested  de- 
votedness  to  the  benevolent  and  patriotic  Enterprise,         38  —  51 

CHAPTER  IV. 

The  emigrants  embark  —  Arrive  at  Charlestown,  South  Caro- 
lina —  Oglethorpe  visits  Governor  Johnson  —  Proceeds  up  the 
Savannah  river  —  Place  of  settlement  fixed  upon  —  Town 
laid  out  —  Labors  superintended,  and  assisted  by  Colonel 
Bull  —  Treaty  with  Tomo  Chichi  —  Progress  of  settlement 
—  Oglethorpe  makes  a  visit  to  Governor  Johnson,  presents 
himself  before  the  House  of  Assembly,  and  makes  an  Address 
of  grateful  acknowledgment  of  favors  received  —  Returns  to 
Savannah  —  Holds  a  treaty  with  the  Lower  Creeks  —  Goes 
to  horse-quarter  on  the  Ogechee  —  Fort  Argyle  built  — 
Savannah  laid  out  in  wards,  and  Court  of  Pi.ecords  insti- 
tuted,       51  —  75 

CHAPTER  V. 

Oglethorpe  intended  to  visited  Boston,  in  New  England  —  Go- 
vernor Belcher's  Letter  to  him  —  Provincial  Assembly  appoint 


CONTENTS.  xvii 

a  Committee  to  receive  him  —  Sets  out  on  an  exploratory 
Excursion  —  Names  an  Island,  Jekyl  —  Visits  Fort  Argyle 

—  Returns  to  Savannah  —  Saltzburgh  emigrants,  conducted 
by  Baron  Von  Reck,  come  to  settle  in  Georgia  —  Oglethorpe 
assists  them  in  selecting  a  place  —  They  call  it  Ebenezer  — 
He  then  goes  up  the  river  to  Palachicolas  —  Returns  —  Goes 
to  Charlestown,  with  Tomo  Chichi  and  other  Indians,  in 
order  to  take  passage  to  England,     .         .         .         .        75  —  90 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Oglethorpe  arrives  in  England  with  his  Indian  Escort  —  Is  wel- 
comed by  the  Trustees  —  Apartments  are  provided  for  the 
Indians  —  They  are  introduced  to  the  King  and  Royal  Family 

—  One  of  their  number  dies  of  the  small  pox  —  Visit  the 
Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  and  Eton  College  —  Shown  the 
public  buildings  and  institutions  in  London  —  Embark  for 
Georgia  —  Their  arrival,  .         .         .         .         .90  — 100 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Oglethorpe  remains  in  England  —  Trustees  make  Regulations 

—  Oglethorpe,  desirous  of  providing  for  the  conversion  of  the 
Indians,  applies  to  Bishop  Wilson  to  prepare  a  Book  of  Re- 
ligious Instruction  for  them  —  Trustees  seek  for  Missionaries 

—  Engage  John  and  Charles  Wesley,  .        <.         100  — 113 

CHAPTER   VIII. 

Trustees  make  a  new  selection  of  Settlers  —  Their  Proposals 
successful  in  Scotland  —  Embarkation  of  Highlanders  for 
Georgia  —  Indian  hieroglyphic  letter  sent  to  the  Trustees  — 
Further  emigration  of  Saltzburgers  —  Great  embarkation  of 
Colonists,  attended  by  Oglethorpe  and  the  Missionaries  — 
Employment  and  religious  exercises  on  board  during  the 
voyage  —  Arrival  —  Beacon  on  the  Island  of  Tybee — The 
people  go  on  shore  at  Peeper's  Island  —  Oglethorpe  goes  to 
c 


Xviii  CONTENTS. 

Savannah  with  the  Missionaries  —  Sends  provisions  and 
refreshments  to  the  Emigrants  —  Moore's  account  of  the 
Public  Garden  —  Tomo  Chichi  welcomes  his  friend  —  Saltz- 
burgers  make  application  for  a  removal  from  Ebenezer  — 
Oglethorpe  sends  pioneers  to  lay  out  a  road  to  Darien,    113  — 134 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Special  destination  of  the  last  Emigrants  —  Oglethorpe  makes 
arrangements  for  their  transportation  to  the  Island  of  St. 
Simons  —  Follows  with  Charles  Wesley  —  Arrives  and  lays 
out  a  Town  to  be  called  Frederica  —  Visits  the  Highlanders 
at  Darien  —  Returns  and  superintends  the  building  of  a  Fort 
—  All  the  people  arrive  —  Barracks  for  the  Soldiers  put  up, 
and  a  Battery  erected  —  Visited  by  Tomo  Chichi,  and  Indians, 
who  make  a  cession  of  the  Islands  —  Reconnoitres  the  Islands 
and  gives  names  to  them  —  Commissioners  from  St.  Augus- 
tine —  Apparently  amicable  overtures  —  Oglethorpe  goes  to 
Savannah  to  hold  a  conference  with  a  Committee  from  South 
Carolina  respecting  trade  with  the  Indians  —  Insolent  de- 
mand of  the  Spaniards  —  Oglethorpe  embarks  for  Eng- 
land,         134  —  160 

CHAPTER  X. 

Delegation  of  the  Missionaries  —  John  Wesley  stationed  at 
Savannah  —  Has  a  conference  with  Tomo  Chichi  —  His 
Preaching  deemed  personal  in  its  applications  —  He  becomes 
unpopular  —  Meets  with  persecution —  Leaves  the  Province 
and  returns  to  England  —  Charles  Wesley  attends  Ogle- 
thorpe to  Frederica  —  Finds  himself  unpleasantly  situated  — 
Furnished  with  despatches  for  the  Trustees,  he  sets  out  for 
Charlestown,  and  thence  takes  passage  for  England  —  By 
stress  of  weather  the  Vessel  driven  off  its  course  —  Puts  in 
at  Boston,  New  England  —  His  reception  there  —  Sails  thence 
for  England  —  After  a  perilous  voyage,  arrives  —  Benjamin 


CONTENTS.  xix 

Ingham  also  at  Frederica  —  Goes  to  Savannah  to  apprize 
John  Wesley  of  the  sickness  of  his  brother  —  Resides  among 
the  Creeks  in  order  to  learn  their  language  —  Returns  to 
England  —  Charles  Delamotte  at  Savannah  —  Keeps  a 
School  —  Is  much  respected  —  George  Whitefield  comes 
to  Savannah  —  His  reception  —  Visits  Tomo  Chichi,  who 
was  sick  —  Ministerial  labors  —  Visits  the  Saltzburgers  — 
Pleased  with  their  provision  for  Orphan  Children  —  Visits 
Frederica  and  the  adjacent  Settlements  —  Returns  to  Eng- 
land —  Makes  a  second  voyage  to  Georgia,  and  takes  efficient 
measures  for  the  erection  of  an  Orphan  House,        .     160  — 185 

CHAPTER  XI. 

Oglethorpe  arrives  in  England  —  Trustees  petition  the  King  for 
military  aid  to  the  new  Colony  —  A  regiment  granted  — 
Oglethorpe  appointed  Commander  in  Chief  of  South  Carolina 
and  Georgia  —  Part  of  the  regiment  sent  out  —  Oglethorpe 
embarks  for  Georgia  the  third  time  —  Remainder  of  the  regi- 
ment arrive  —  And  two  companies  from  Gibraltar  —  Pros- 
pect of  war  with  Spain  —  Military  preparations  at  St. 
Augustine  —  Oglethorpe  makes  arrangements  for  defence  — 
Treason  in  the  Camp  —  Mutiny,  and  personal  assault  on  the 
General, 185  —  197 

CHAPTER   XII. 

Oglethorpe  visits  Savannah  —  Troubles  there  —  Causton,  the 
store-keeper,  displaced  —  Oglethorpe  holds  a  conference  with 
a  deputation  of  Indians  —  Town-meeting  called,  and  endeav- 
ors used  to  quiet  discontents  —  Goes  back  to  Frederica,  but 
obliged  to  renew  his  visit  to  Savannah,    .        .        .     197  —  209 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

Oglethorpe  goes  to  Charlestown,  South  Carolina,  to  open  his 
Commission  —  Comes  back  to  Savannah —  Gives  encourage- 


XX  CONTENTS. 

ment  to  the  Planters  —  Returns  to  Frederica  —  Excursion  to 
Coweta  —  Forms  a  Treaty  with  the  Upper  Creeks  —  Receives 
at  Augusta  a  delegation  of  the  Chickasaws  and  Cherokees, 
who  complain  of  having  been  poisoned  by  the  Traders  —  On 
his  return  to  Savannah  is  informed  of  Spanish  aggressions, 
and  is  authorized  to  make  reprisals,  .         .         .     209  —  222 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

Oglethorpe  addresses  a  letter  to  Lieutenant-Governor  Bull,  sug- 
gesting an  expedition  against  St.  Augustine  —  Follows  this, 
by  application  in  person  —  Promised  assistance,  and  cooper- 
ation —  Returns  to  Frederica  —  Collects  his  forces  —  Passes 
over  to  Florida  —  Takes  several  Spanish  forts  —  Is  joined  by 
the  Carolinian  troops  —  The  enemy  receive  supplies  —  Ogle- 
thorpe changes  the  siege  into  a  blockade  —  Takes  possession 
of  Anastasia  Island  —  Colonel  Palmer  and  his  men  surprised 
and  cut  to  pieces  —  Spanish  cruelties — English  fleet  quit 
the  station  —  Siege  raised,  and  Oglethorpe  returns  to  Fred- 
erica,        222  —  243 

CHAPTER   XV. 

Oglethorpe  pays  particular  attention  to  internal  Improvements 
—  Meets  with  many  annoyances  —  The  Creeks,  under  Too- 
nahowi,  make  an  incursion  into  Florida  —  The  Spanish  form 
a  design  upon  Georgia —  Some  of  their  fleet  appear  on  the 
coast  —  Oglethorpe  prepares  for  defence  —  Applies  to  South 
Carolina  for  assistance  —  Spaniards  attack  Fort  William  — 
Dangerous  situation  of  Oglethorpe  —  Spanish  fleet  enter  the 
harbor  and  land  on  St.  Simons  —  In  three  successive  engage- 
ments they  are  defeated  —  A  successful  stratagem  —  Enemy 
defeated  at  Bloody  Marsh  —  Retire  and  attack  Fort  "William, 
which  is  bravely  defended  by  Ensign  Stewart  —  Spanish 
forces,  repulsed  in  all  their  assaults,  abandon  the  invasion  in 
dismay,  and  return  to  St.  Augustine  and  to  Cuba,     .     243  —  271 


CONTENTS.  xxi 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

Oglethorpe,  informed  that  the  Spaniards  were  making  prepara- 
tions for  a  renewal  of  hostilities,  takes  measures  to  repel 
them  —  Meets  with  an  alarming  accident  —  Lands  on  the 
Florida  side  of  St.  John's  —  Proceeds  towards  St.  Augustine 
—  The  Spanish  do  not  venture  out  to  attack  him  —  Returns 
to  the  Islands  —  sees  that  the  Forts  are  repaired  —  Takes 
passage  to  England  to  attend  a  Court  Martial  on  an  insidious 
charge  against  him  by  Lieutenant  Cook  —  Is  honorably 
acquitted,  and  Cook  is  dismissed  from  the  service,     .    271  —  278 

CHAPTER  XVn. 

Oglethorpe's  residence  in  England  —  Marriage  —  Military 
appointments  —  A  Major  General  under  the  Duke  of  Cum- 
berland for  the  suppression  of  the  rebellion  in  1745  —  Ar- 
raigned at  a  Court  Martial  and  acquitted  —  Domestic  and 
social  life,  and  character  —  Death,    ....     278  —  303 

Obituary  notice  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Oglethorpe,  with  extracts 

from  her  Will, 303  —  311 

Account  of  Carolina  and  Georgia  by  Oglethorpe,       .    313  —  323 


APPENDIX. 

L  Family  of  Oglethorpe, 325  —  329 

II.  Discussion  respecting  the  birth-day  of  the  subject  of  these 
inemorials, 329  —  334 

III.  Notices  of  the  Earl  of  Peterborough,  and  of  Dean  Berke- 
ley  334  —  338 

IV.  Reference  to  the  debates  in  Parliament  in  which  Oglethorpe 
took  a  part, 338  —  340 

V.  Prison-visiting  Committee,  ....  340  —  343 
VL  Release  of  insolvent  debtors,  ....  343  —  346 
VII.  Sir  Thomas  Lombe's  mill  for  winding  silk,  .     346  —  348 


xxii  CONTENTS. 

VIII.  Case  of  Captain  Porteous 348  —  349 

IX.  Trustees  for  settling  Georgia,        ....     349  —  350 

X.  Oglethorpe's  disinterestedness  in  the  undertaking,       350  —  352 
XL  Advertisement  of  Governor  Johnson  of  South  Carolina, 

and  letter  of  the  Governor  and  Council  to  Oglethorpe,     352  —  358 

XII.  Account  of  the  Creeks, 358 

XIII.  Account  of  the  Indians  in  Georgia  by  Oglethorpe,     358  —  361 

XIV.  Memoir  of  the  Duke  of  Argyle,  .        .         .     361  —  362 

XV.  Saltzburgers, 362  —  365 

XVI.  Arrival  of   these    persecuted    German    Protestants    in 
Georgia, 365  —  366 

XVII.  Settlement  of  Moravians,  ....     366  —  367 

XVIII.  Scout-boat  and  Channels,        ....     367  —  368 

XIX.  Uchee  Indians, 368  —  369 

XX.  A  mutiny  in    the   Camp,   and    attempt    at    assassina- 
tion,         369  —  373 

XXI.  Memoir  of  Tomo-Chichi,  ....     373  —  378 

XXII.  General  Oglethorpe's  manifesto,        .         .        .     378  —  380 

XXIII.  Fate  of  Colonel  Palmer 380  —  381 

XXIV.  Account  of  the  siege  of  St.  Augustine,    .        .     381  —  385 

XXV.  Spanish  invasion, 385  —  387 

XXVI.  Order  for  a  Thanksgiving,       .        .        .        .     387  —  390 

XXVII.  List  of  Spanish  forces  employed  in  the  invasion  of 
Georgia,  and  of  Oglethorpe's  to  resist  them,     .        .     390  —  391 

XXVIII.  History  of  the  silk  culture  in  Georgia,  written  by 

W.  B.  Stevens,  M.  D.,  of  Savannah,        .        .        .    391  —  415 

INDEX, 415 


MEMORIALS   OF    OGLETHORPE. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Parentage  of  Oglethorpe  —  Birth  —  Education  —  Christian  Name  — 
Education  —  Military  Profession  and  Promotion  —  In  the  Suite 
of  the  Earl  of  Peterborough  —  Service  under  Prince  Eugene  of 
Savoy  —  Elected  Member  of  Parliament  —  Visits  a  Gentleman 
in  Prison  —  Moves  in  the  House  of  Commons  for  a  redress  of 
the  rigors  of  Prison  Discipline  —  Appointed  on  the  Committee  — 
Extracts  from  his  Speeches  in  Parliament. 

James  Oglethorpe,  founder  of  the  Colony  of 
Georgia  in  North  America,  —  a  distinguished  phi- 
lanthropist, general,  and  statesman,  —  was  the  son 
of  Sir  Theophilus  Oglethorpe,  of  Godalming,  in 
the  County  of  Surrey,  Great  Britain,  by  Eleanor, 
his  wife,  daughter  of  Richard  Wall,  Esq.  of  Ro- 
gane,  in  Ireland.^     There  has  been,  hitherto,  great 

'  For  some  account  of  the  Family,  see  Appendix  I. 
1 


2  EARLY   LIFE. 

uncertainty  with  respect  to  tlie  jear,  the  month, 
and  the  day  of  his  nativity  ;  I  have,  however,  what 
I  deem  good  authority  for  deciding  it  to  have  been 
the  twenty-first  day  of  December,  one  thousand 
six  hundred  and  eighty-eight.' 

It  is  asserted  in  Thoresby's  History  of  Leeds, 
page  255,  that  "  he  had  two  christian  names, 
James-Edward,  supposed  to  have  been  bestowed 
upon  him  in  compliment  to  the  Pretender  ;  "  and 
he  is  so  named  on  his  sepulchral  monument.  But, 
as  he  always  used  but  one ;  as  he  was  enregistered 
on  entering  College  at  Oxford,  simply  James  ;  and, 
as  the  double  name  is  not  inserted  in  any  public 
act,  commission,  document,  printed  history,  or  men- 
tion of  him  in  his  life  time,  that  I  have  ever  met 
with,  I  have  not  thought  proper  to  adopt  it. 

When  sixteen  years  of  age,  on  the  9th  of  July, 
1704,  he  was  admitted  a  member  of  Corpus  Christi 
College,  Oxford,^  where  his  brother  Lewis  received 
his  education.  It  seems,  however,  that,  after  the 
example  of    that  brother,  as  also  of  his   brother 

'  Appendix  IL 

*  The  record  of  his  admittafin;  in  the  University  Register,  is,  — 
"  1704,  Jul.  9,  term.  S.  Trin.  Jacobus  Oglethorpe,  e  C.  C.  C.  16. 
Theoph.  f.  Sti.  Jacobi,  Lond.  Equ.  Aur.  filius  natu  minor."  That 
is,  "  In  Trinity  Term,  July  9,  1704,  James  Oglethorpe,  aged  16, 
youngest  son  of  Sir  Theophilus  Oglethorpe,  of  St.  Jameses,  Lon- 
don, ivas  admitted  into  Corpus  Christi  College, 


MILITARY  ADVANCEMENTS.  3 

Theophilus,  he  early  relinquished  a  literary,  for  a 
military  profession  ;  and  aspired  to  make  his  way 
in  the  world,  "  tarn  Marte  quam  Minerva." 

His  first  commission  was  that  of  Ensign  ;  and  it 
is  dated  in  1710  ;  and  he  bore  that  rank  in  the 
army  when  peace  was  proclaimed  in  1713.'  In 
the  same  year  he  is  known  to  have  been  in  the 
suite  of  the  Earl  of  Peterborough,^  ambassador 
from  the  Court  of  Great  Britain  to  the  King  of 
Sicily  and  to  the  other  Italian  States  ;  whither  he 
was  fellow  traveller  with  the  Rev.  Dr.  George 
Berkeley,  his  Lordship's  Chaplain.^  Highly  hon- 
orable was  such  a  mark  of  favor  from  his  Lordship ; 
and  peculiarly  pleasant  and  instructive,  also,  must 
have  been  such  companionship  with  the  amiable 

1  Biographical  Memoir  in  the  European  Magazine,  Vol.  VIII. 
p.  13. 

'  Nichols,  in  tlie  Literary  Anecdotes  of  the  XVIIIth  Century, 
Vol.  II.  p.  19,  says,  "he  was  aid-de-carap;  "  but  as  that  was  the 
title  of  a  military  rank,  rather  than  of  an  attendant  on  a  diplomatic 
ambassador,  I  have  substituted  another  term,  which  however  may 
embrace  it,  if  it  be  really  proper. 

'  Dr.  Berkeley,  in  a  letter  to  Thomas  Prior,  Esq.,  dated  Turin, 
January  6,  1714,  n.  s.  says  that  he  travelled  from  Lyons  "in  com- 
pany with  Col.  Du  Hamel  and  Mr.  Oglethorpe,  Adjutant  General  of 
the  Queen's  forces ;  who  were  sent  with  a  letter  from  my  Lord  to 
the  King's  mother,  at  Turin."  Works  of  George  Berkeley,  D.D., 
loith an  Account  of  his  Life.     Dublin.     1704.    2  vols.    4to.    Vol.1. 

p.  XXX. 


4  WITH  PRINCE  EUGENE. 

and  excellent  clergyman ;  and  it  afforded  opportu- 
nity of  concerting  plans  of  useftdness,  of  benefi- 
cence, and  of  philanthropy,  the  object  and  tendency 
of  which  were  apparent  in  the  after  life  of  each.^ 

In  1714  he  was  Captain  Lieutenant  in  the  first 
troop  of  the  Queen's  guards.  By  his  fine  figure, 
his  soldierly  deportment  and  personal  bravery,  he 
attracted  the  notice  of  the  Duke  of  Marlborough ; 
whose  confidence  and  patronage  he  seems  long  to 
have  enjoyed,  and  by  whom,  and  through  the  influ- 
ence of  the  Duke  of  Argyle,  he  was  so  recom- 
mended to  Prince  Eugene,  that  he  received  him 
into  his  service,  first  as  his  secretary,  and  after- 
wards aid-de-camp.  Thus  near  the  person  of  this 
celebrated  general,  full  of  ardor,  and  animated  with 
heroic  courage,  an  opportunity  was  offered  him  in 
the  warlike  expedition  against  the  Turks  in  which 
the  Prince  was  engaged,  to  gather  those  laurels  in 
what  the  world  calls  "  the  field  of  glory,"  to  which 
he  aspired  ;  and,  in  several  successive  campaigns, 
he  exhibited  applauded  proofs  of  chivalric  gallantry 
and  personal  bravery.  By  his  attentive  observa- 
tion of  the  discipline,  manner  of  battle  array, 
onset  of  the  forces,  and  the  instruction  given  him 
in  military  tactics,  he  acquired  that  knowledge  of 

'  Appendix  III, 


BATTLE  OF  PETERWARADIN.  5 

the  art  of  war,  for  which  he  afterwards  became  so 
distinguished. 

At  the  battle  of  Peterwaradiii,  one  of  the  strong- 
est frontier  places  that  Austria  had  against  the 
Turks,  Oglethorpe,  though  present,  was  not  per- 
haps actively  engaged.  It  was  fought  on  the  5th 
of  August,  1716.  The  army  of  the  Turks  con- 
sisted of  150,000  men,  of  which  40,000  were  Jan- 
isaries,  and  30,000  Saphis,  or  troopers,  the  rest 
were  Tartars,  Walachians,  and  the  troops  of  Asia 
and  Egypt.  The  army  of  the  Imperialists,  under 
his  Serene  Highness,  Prince  Eugene,  consisted  of 
but  little  more  than  half  that  number.  The  onset 
began  at  seven  in  the  morning,  and  by  twelve 
Eugene  was  writing  to  the  Emperor  an  account  of 
the  victory  in  the  tent  of  the  Grand  Vizier.^ 

After  a  sharp  contest  of  about  four  hours,  the 
Grand  Vizier  Hali,  seeing  the  battle  go  against 
him,  put  himself  at  the  head  of  his  guard  of  horse, 
pushed  through  a  defile,  and  made  a  very  brisk 
charge  ;  but  his  men  could  not  sustain  the  contest ; 
and  he,  having  received  two  wounds,  was  carried 

'  Military  History  of  Prince  Eugene,  of  Savoy,  (a  superb  work  in 
two  folio  volumes,  with  elegant  plates ;  compiled  by  Campbell.) 
Lond.  1737.  Vol.  II.  p.  215.  From  this,  and  from  "  The  Life 
and  Military  Actions  of  Eugene ,"  Lond.  1737,  12mo,  the  account 
of  the  battles  is  taken. 


Q  TEMESWAER. 

off  the  field  to  Carlowitz,  where  he  died  the  next 
day.  The  Aga  of  the  Janisaries  and  Mahomet 
Bassa  were  also  slain.  The  whole  loss  of  the 
Turks  in  this  action  amounted  to  about  22,000  ; 
and  of  the  Imperialists,  3,695  common  soldiers, 
and  469  officers.  There  was  found  in  the  camp 
164  pieces  of  cannon,  and  a  prodigious  quantity  of 
powder,  bullets,  bombs,  grenades,  and  various  mil- 
itary equipments  and  stores ;  and  the  booty  in  other 
articles  was  great  and  rich  beyond  computation. 

The  Imperial  army  passed  the  Danube  on  the 
6th  of  August,  "  in  order  to  avoid  the  infection  of 
the  dead  bodies."  The  same  day  a  council  of  war 
was  held,  in  which  the  siege  of  Temeswaer  was 
proposed  and  resolved  on.  This  is  a  town  of  Hun- 
gary, upon  the  river  Temes,  whence  it  has  its  name. 
It  lies  five  miles  from  Lippa,  towards  the  borders 
of  Transylvania,  and  about  ten  from  Belgrade. 
The  Turks  took  it  from  the  Transylvanians  in 
1552,  and  fortified  it  to  a  degree  that  they  deemed 
it  impregnable.  After  several  severe  conflicts,  and 
a  most  desperate  resistance,  it  capitulated  on  the 
14th  of  October,  1716,  and  the  Turks  entirely 
evacuated  the  place  on  the  17th.  Thus  the  capital 
of  a  region  of  the  same  name,  was  restored  to  its 
lawful  prince  after  having  been  in  the  hands  of  the 
Turks  164  years.     "  The  success  of  this  victorious 


BATTLE   OF   BELGRADE.  7 

campaign  filled  not  only  Germany,  but  all  Europe 
with  Joy."  On  this  occasion,  Oglethorpe  acted  as 
aid-de-camp ;  and  his  active  service  in  attendance 
upon  Prince  Eugene  ;  his  prompt  attention  to  the 
orders  dictated  to  him,  or  transmitted  by  him ;  his 
alertness  and  fidelity  in  communicating  them  ;  and 
his  fearless  exposure  to  imminent  peril  in  passing 
from  one  division  of  the  army  to  another,  gained 
him  commendatory  acknowledgments  and  the  in- 
creased favor  of  his  Serene  Highness. 

Notwithstanding  these  signal  victories  gained  over 
them,  the  Turks  were  determined  to  continue  the 
contest ;  and  the  next  year  the  Grand  Signior  held 
a  great  Divan  at  Constantinople  to  take  measures 
for  its  most  vigorous  prosecution.  These  purposes 
being  put  in  train.  Prince  Eugene  undertook  the 
siege  of  Belgrade,  their  chief  strong  hold.  "  The 
Turks  advanced  to  its  relief,  and  besieged  him  in 
his  camp.  His  danger  was  imminent ;  but  military 
skill  and  disciplined  valor  triumphed  over  numbers 
and  savage  ferocity.  He  sallied  out  of  his  intrench- 
ments,  and,  falling  suddenly  upon  the  enemy,  routed 
them  with  great  slaughter,  and  took  their  cannon, 
baggage,  and  everything  belonging  to  their  camp. 
Belgrade   surrendered   immediately   after." '      On 

'  Russell's  Modern  Europe,  VoL  V.  p.  3. 


8  CAPITULATION. 

the  16th  of  August,  (1717)  the  capitulation  was 
signed  ;  and  immediately  afterwards  the  Imperial- 
ists took  possession  of  a  gate,  and  the  out-works  ; 
on  the  19th  Te  Deum  was  solemnly  performed  in 
the  tent  of  the  Grand  Vizier,  which  had  become 
occupied  by  Eugene,  and  on  the  22d  the  place 
was  evacuated.  The  Imperialists  found  prodigious 
riches  in  the  camp  of  which  they  had  become  pos- 
sessed ;  for  the  Sultan  had  emptied  his  coffers  to 
supply  this  army,  which  w^as  by  far  the  most  nu- 
merous of  any  set  on  foot  since  the  famous  siege  of 
Vienna."  ^ 

"  Such  was  the  conclusion  of  the  siege  of  Bel- 
grade ;  a  place  of  the  last  importance  to  the  Impe- 
rialists and  to  the  Turks  ;  the  bridle  of  all  the 
adjoining  country ;  the  glorious  trophy  of  the  valor 
and  conduct  of  his  Serene  Highness,  Prince  Eugene; 
and  the  bulwark,  not  of  Germany  only,  but  of  all 
Christendom  on  this  side." 

"  Oglethorpe  was  in  active  command  at  the  siege 
and  battle  of  Belgrade,  on  the  south  shore  of  the 
Danube,  in  1717  ;  where  he  acquired  a  high  and 
deserved  reputation."  ^ 

In  the  postscript  of  a  letter  from  Alexander  Pope, 


'  Campbell's  Military  History  of  Eugene,  Vol.  II.  p.  233. 
*  Gentlemmi's  Magazine  ioT  1785,  p.  573. 


ELECTED  TO  PARLIAMENT.  9 

dated  September  8th,  1717,  to  Edward  Blount, 
Esq.,  is  this  remark :  "  I  hope  you  will  take  part 
in  the  rejoicing  for  the  victory  of  Prince  Eugene 
over  the  Turks,  &c."  to  which  Dr.  Warton  subjoins 
this  note ;  "  at  which  General  Oglethorpe  was 
present,  and  of  which  I  have  heard  him  give  a 
lively  description." 

The  peace  which  took  place  in  the  following 
year  between  the  Emperor  and  the  Sultan,  left 
Oglethorpe  without  any  active  employment ;  and 
he  quitted,  doubtless  with  reluctance,  the  staff  of 
his  friend  and  patron,  prince  Eugene,  with  whom 
he  had  so  honorably  served  ;  and  returned  to  Eng- 
land. 

He  was  offered  preferment  in  the  German  ser- 
vice ;  but  it  was,  probably,  a  sufficient  reason  with 
him  for  declining  the  proffer,  that  "  the  profession 
of  a  soldier  in  time  of  peace  affords  but  few  oppor- 
tunities of  promotion,  and  none  of  distinction." 

In  the  year  1722,  succeeding  his  brother  Lewis 
in  the  inheritance  of  the  estate  at  Godalming,  his 
weight  of  character  and  family  influence  secured 
to  him  a  seat  in  Parliament,  as  Burgess,  for  Hasle- 
mere ;  and  he  continued  to  represent  that  bo- 
rough, by  successive  elections,  and  through  various 
changes  of  administration,  for  thirty-two  years  ; 
and,   "  during   this  long    period,   he  distinguished 


10  PARLIAMENT. 

himself  by  several  able  speeches  ;  and,  in  the  laws 
for  the  benefit  of  trade,  &c.  many  regulations  were 
proposed  and  promoted  by  him." 

In  this  august  assembly,  he  was  neither  a  dumb 
show,  nor  an  automaton  ;  nor  the  tool  of  party  ;  but 
independent,  intelligent,  and  energetic,  delivered 
his  opinions  freely,  spoke  often,  and  always  to  the 
purpose.' 

His  first  recorded  speech  was  on  the  6th  of  April, 
i723,  against  the  banishment  of  Dr.  Francis  Atter- 
bury,  the  Bishop  of  Rochester,  which  he  deemed 
injudicious  and  needlessly  rigorous.^ 

A  few  years  after,  his  feelings  of  humanity  were 
powerfully  touched  on  finding  a  gentleman,  whom 
he  went  to  visit  in  the  Fleet  prison,  loaded  with 
irons,  and  otherwise  cruelly  used.^  Shocked  by 
the  scenes  he  witnessed,  he  determined  to  expose 
such  injustice  ;  and,  if  possible,  to  prevent  such 
abuse  of  power.  With  this  view,  he  brought  for- 
ward a  motion  in  the  House  of  Commons,  "  that 
an  inquiry  should  be  instituted  into  the  state  of  the 
gaols  in  the  metropolis ^  This  met  with  such  at- 
tention, that  in  February,  1728,  the  House  of  Com- 

'  See  Appendix  IV. 

"  History  and  Proceedings  of  the  House  of  Commons,  Lond. 
1742,  Vol.  VI.  p.  308. 
^  Sir  William  Rich,  Baronet. 


COMMITTEE   ON  PRISONS.  H 

mons  assigned  the  subject  to  a  Committee,  of  which 
he  was  chosen  Chairman.'  The  investigation  led 
to  the  discovery  of  many  corrupt  practices,  and 
much  oppressive  treatment  of  the  prisoners  ;  and 
was  followed  by  the  enactment  of  measures  for  the 
correction  of  such  shameful  mismanagement  and 
inhuman  neglect  in  some  cases,  and  for  the  preven- 
tion of  severity  of  infliction  in  others.^ 

A  writer,  whose  opinion  was  founded  on  the  best 
means  of  knowledge,  has  declared  that  "  the  effects 
of  this  interposition  have  been  felt  ever  since  by 
the  unhappy  prisoners."^ 

Oglethorpe  thus  became  the  precursor  of  Howard, 
the  philanthropist,  in  the  cause  of  humanity,  as  it 
regards  the  amelioration  of  prison  discipline  in 
general,  especially  the  rigors  of  close  confinement 
for  debt  or  petty  offences,  and  that  among  felons 
and  convicts.  The  impression  then  made  on  his 
mind  and  heart,  led  him,  afterwards,  to  other  and 
more  extensive  and  efficacious  measures  for  the 
relief  of  poor  debtors  from  the  extortions  and  op- 
pressions to  which  they  were  subjected  by  gaolers, 
and  from  the  humiliation  and  distress  in  which  they 
were  often  involved  without  any  fault  of  their  own, 


'  Appendix  IV.  *  Appendix  V. 

"  Gentleman's  Magazine  for  1785,  pnge  572. 


12  KING'S   SPEECH. 

or   by  some  conduct  which  deserved   pity  rather 
than  punishment. 

At  the  opening  of  the  session  of  Parliament  on 
the  12tli  of  January,  1731,  the  King's  speech  was 
the  subject  of  debate  in  the  House  of  Commons. 
A  motion  was  made  for  an  address  of  thanks,  in 
which  they  should  declare  their  entire  approbation 
of  his  Majesty's  conduct,  express  their  confidence 
in  the  wisdom  of  his  counsels,  and  announce  their 
readiness  to  grant  the  necessary  supplies.  There 
were  some  who  opposed  the  motion.  They  did 
not  argue  against  a  general  vote  of  thanks,  but  inti- 
mated the  impropriety,  and,  indeed,  ill  tendency  of 
expressions  which  implied  an  unquestioning  appro- 
bation of  the  measures  of  the  ministry.  In  refer- 
ring to  this,  Smollet  ^  says,  "  Mr.  Oglethorpe,  a 
gentleman  of  unblemished  character,  brave,  gener- 
ous, and  humane,  affirmed  that  many  other  things 
related  more  immediately  to  the  honor  and  interest 
of  the  nation,  than  did  the  guarantee  of  the  Prag- 
matic sanction.  He  said  that  he  wished  to  have 
heard  that  the  new  works  at  Dunkirk  had  been 
entirely  razed  and  destroyed  ;  that  the  nation  had 
received  full  and  complete  satisfaction  for  the  depra- 
dations  committed   by  the  natives  of  Spain  ;  that 

'  History  of  England,  Book  H.  chap.  iv.  ^  xxx. 


GERMAN  PROTESTANTS.  13 

more  care  was  taken  in  the  disciplining  of  the 
mihtia,  on  whose  valor  the  nation  must  chiefly 
depend  in  case  of  an  invasion  ;  and  that  some 
regard  had  been  shown  to  the  oppressed  Protestants 
in  Germany.  He  expressed  his  satisfaction,  how- 
ever, to  find  that  the  English  were  not  so  closely 
united  to  France  as  formerly,  for  he  had  generally 
observed  that  when  two  dogs  were  in  a  leash  to- 
gether, the  stronger  generally  ran  away  with  the 
weaker ;  and  this,  he  feared,  had  been  the  case 
between  France  and  Great  Britain." 

The  motion,  however,  was  carried,  and  the  ad- 
dress presented. 

Possessing  a  vein  of  wit,  Oglethorpe  was  apt  to 
introduce  piquant  illustrations  and  comparisons  into 
his  narratives,  and  sometimes  with  the  view  of  their 
giving  force  to  his  statements  ;  but,  though  they 
might  serve  to  enliven  conversation,  they  were  not 
dignified  enough  for  a  speech  in  so  august  an  assem- 
bly as  that  he  was  now  addressing.  They  are,  how- 
ever, atoned  for,  on  this  occasion,  by  the  grave  tenor 
of  his  preceding  remarks,  which  were  the  dictates 
of  good  sense,  the  suggestions  of  sound  policy,  and, 
especially,  by  the  reference  to  the  distressed  situa- 
tion of  the  persecuted  German  Protestants  which 
was  evincive  of  a  compassionate  consideration,  truly 
honorable  to  him  as  a  man  and  a  christian.     And 


14  CONSTITUTIONAL  MILITIA. 

we  shall  find,  that,  in  behalf  of  these,  he  afterwards 
exerted  a  personal  and  availing  influence. 

In  1732  he  made  a  spirited  and  patriotic  effort 
in  Parliament  to  restore  a  constitutional  militia  ; 
and  to  abolish  arbitrary  impressment  for  the  sea- 
service  ;  and,  on  this  subject,  he  published  a 
pamphlet  entitled  "  The  Sailor's  Advocate,"  for 
which  Mr.  Sharpe  obliged  him  with  a  sarcastic 
preface. 

In  the  debate  on  the  bill  for  encouraging  the 
trade  of  the  British  sugar  colonies,  Oglethorpe  took 
an  active  part,  and  manifested  those  liberal  and 
patriotic  views,  and  that  regard  for  the  colonial 
settlements  in  North  America,  which,  afterwards, 
became  with  him  a  decided  principle. 

"  In  all  cases,"  said  he,  "  that  come  before  this 
House,  where  there  seems  a  clashing  of  interests, 
we  ought  to  have  no  exclusive  regard  to  the  particu- 
lar interest  of  any  one  country  or  set  of  people,  but 
to  the  good  of  the  whole.  Our  colonies  are  a  part 
of  our  dominions.  The  people  in  them  are  our  own 
people  ;  and  we  ought  to  show  an  equal  respect  to 
all.  If  it  should  appear  that  our  Plantations  upon 
the  continent  of  America  are  against  that  which  is 
desired  by  the  sugar  colonies,  we  are  to  presume 
that  the  granting  thereof  will  be  a  prejudice  to  the 
trade  or  particular  interests  of  our  continental  settle- 


ON  THE   SUGAR  COLONIES.  15 

ments.  And,  surely,  the  danger  of  hurting  so  con- 
siderable a  part  of  our  dominions,  —  a  part  which 
reaches  from  the  34th  to  the  46th  degree  of  north 
latitude,  —  will,  at  least,  incline  us  to  be  extremely 
cautious  in  what  we  are  going  about.  If,  therefore, 
it  shall  appear  that  the  relieving  our  sugar  colonies 
w  ill  do  more  harm  to  the  other  parts  of  our  domin- 
ions, than  it  can  do  good  to  them,  we  must  refuse 
it,  and  think  of  some  other  method  of  putting  them 
upon  an  equal  footing  with  their  rivals  in  any  part 
of  trade. 

"  Our  sugar  colonies  are  of  great  consequence 
to  us  ;  but  our  other  colonies  in  that  part  of  the 
world  ought  also  to  be  considered.  From  them  we 
have,  likewise,  yearly,  large  quantities  of  goods. 
We  ought  not  to  raise  one  colony  upon  the  de- 
struction of  another.  Much  less  ought  we  to  grant 
a  favor  to  any  particular  set  of  people  which  may 
prove  to  be  against  the  public  good  of  the  nation 
in  general." 

To  these,  and  other  matters  of  general  moment, 
Oglethorpe  devoted  his  time,  his  talents,  and  his 
influence  while  in  Parliament.  He  earnestly  sup- 
ported the  cause  of  silk  manufacture,  which  had 
then  begun  to  spread  in  England  by  means  of  the 
improvement  introduced  by  Sir  Thomas  Lombe,  in 
the  invention  of  his  large  engines,  which  are  de- 


16    CORPORATION  FOR  LENDING  MONEY. 

scribed  as  being  of  "  a  most  curious  and  intricate 
structure," '  but  which  in  our  own  day,  when  me- 
chanical ingenuity  has  reached  a  high  degree  of 
excellence,  and  machinery  seems  itself  almost  an 
intelligent  principle,  would,  probably,  be  regarded 
as  merely  "  curious  and  intricate,"  without  possess- 
ing any  practical  value.^ 

A  Corporation  was  formed  in  London,  in  1707, 
with  the  professed  intention  of  lending  money  to 
the  poor  on  small  pledges,  and  to  persons  of  better 
rank,  upon  an  answerable  security,  for  setting  them 
up,  or  assisting  them  in  business.  Its  capital  was 
then  limited  to  £30,000,  but  in  1730  increased  to 
£600,000,  and  a  charter  granted  to  the  Corporation, 
by  act  of  Parliament.  But  in  October  1731,  two 
of  the  chief  officers,  George  Robinson,  Esq.,  mem- 
ber for  Marlow,  the  Cashier,  and  John  Thompson, 
the  Warehouse  keeper,  disappeared  on   the  same 

'  The  6th  of  the  excellent  Essays  by  the  Rev.  Jared  Eliot, 
on  Field  Husbandry,  &c.,  1761,  is  devoted  principally  to  recommenda- 
tions of  the  culture  of  mulberry  trees  for  the  raising  of  silk-worms. 
In  page  161,  is  a  reference  to  Sir  Thomas  Lombe,  "that  eminent 
throwster,  who  erected  the  great  engine  in  Derbyshire ;  a  wonderful 
structure,  consisting  of  twenty-nine  thousand  five  hundred  and 
eighty-six  wheels,  all  set  a  going  and  continued  in  motion  by  one 
single  water-wheel,  for  working  silk  with  expedition  and  success." 
See  also  Appendix  VII. 

*  Manuscript  lecture  of  J.  Willard,  Esq. 


OGLETHORPE'S   SPEECH.  17 

day.  This  gave  the  Proprietors  great  alarm  ;  and 
an  inspection  of  affairs  led  to  the  discovery  that  for 
a  capital  of  about  £500,000,  no  equivalent  was 
found  to  the  value  of  £30,000 ;  the  remainder  hav- 
ing been  disposed  of  by  ways  and  means  of  which 
no  one  could  give  an  account.  In  consequence  of 
this  defalcation,  a  petition  of  the  Proprietors  was 
presented  to  the  Parliament  alleging  that  some 
who  had  been  guilty  of  these  frauds  had  transported 
themselves  to  parts  beyond  the  seas,  and  carried 
with  them  some  of  the  books  and  effects  of  the 
Corporation  ;  and  that  there  was  great  reason  to 
believe  that  such  an  immense  sum  of  money  could 
not  have  been  embezzled  without  the  connivance 
and  participation  of  others  who  remained  in  the 
kingdom ;  but  that  the  petitioners  were  unable  to 
come  at  the  knowledge  of  their  combinations  or  to 
bring  them  to  justice,  unless  aided  by  the  power 
and  authority  of  that  House ;  and  therefore  prayed 
that  it  might  be  afforded. 

On  the  reading  of  the  petition,  Mr.  Oglethorpe 
rose  and  spoke  as  follows  : 

"  Sir,  I  am  persuaded  that  this  petition  will  be 
received  in  a  manner  befitting  the  unhappy  case  of 
the  sufferers  and  the  justice  of  this  House.  I  can 
hardly  suspect  that  any  gentleman  that  has  the 
honor  of  being  a  member  of  this  House  will  hesi- 


18  SPEECH  CONTINUED. 

tate  in  giving  all  the  relief  which  we  can  to  the 
number  of  unfortunate  persons,  who  have  been  so 
much  injured.  Yet,  because  I  have  heard  it  whis- 
pered out  of  doors,  that  we  ought  not  to  receive 
this  petition  upon  account,  as  is  pretended,  that  the 
common  seal  is  not  affixed  to  it,  I  deem  it  necessary 
to  take  some  notice  of  that  objection,  in  case  it 
should  be  started  here.  Sir,  I  must  say  that  if 
there  be  any  irregularity  as  to  the  affixing  the  seal 
of  the  Company  to  this  petition,  it  is,  in  my  opin- 
ion, so  far  from  being  an  objection  to  our  receiving 
the  petition,  that  it  is  a  very  strong  reason  for  it. 
If  there  be  any  fault  in  form,  it  is  the  fault  of  those 
who  had  the  keeping  of  the  common  seal ;  and,  as 
they  may,  perhaps,  be  of  those  against  whom  the 
complaints  are  made,  and  who  may,  upon  inquiry, 
be  found  more  or  less  amenable  for  the  wrong,  we 
are,  therefore,  to  suspect  that  the  withholding  the 
seal  may  be  with  a  view  of  preventing  the  truth's 
being  brought  to  light  ;  at  any  rate,  we  ought 
to  discountenance  and  defeat  such  indirect  prac- 
tices with  regard  to  the  use  of  a  common  seal. 

"  For  my  own  part,  sir,  1  have  been  always  for 
encouraging  the  design  upon  which  this  corporation 
was  at  first  established  ;  and  looked  upon  it  as  a 
provident  act  of  charity  to  let  necessitous  persons 
have   the  opportunity  of  borrowing  money  upon 


PORTEOUS  CASE.  19 

easier  terms  than  they  could  have  it  elsewhere. 
Money,  like  other  things,  is  but  a  commodity,  and 
in  the  way  of  dealing,  the  use  of  it  is  looked  upon 
to  be  worth  as  much  as  people  can  get  for  it.  If 
this  corporation  let  persons  in  limited  circumstances 
have  the  use  of  money  at  a  cheaper  rate  than  indi- 
viduals, brokers,  or  money  lenders,  would  be  willing 
to  do,  it  was  certainly  a  beneficent  act.  If  they 
had  demanded  more  than  was  elsewhere  given,  they 
would  not  have  had  applicants,  and  the  design 
would  not  have  proved  good  and  useful ;  but  the 
utility  of  it  was  most  evident ;  and  the  better  the 
design,  and  the  more  excellent  the  benefit,  the 
more  those  persons  deserve  to  be  punished,  who  by 
their  frauds  have  curtailed,  if  not  now  wholly  cut 
off,  these  sources  of  furnishing  assistance  to  the  in- 
dustrious and  enterprising,  and  disappointed  the 
public  of  reaping  the  benefit  which  might  have 
accrued  by  an  honest  and  faithful  execution  of  so 
good  an  undertaking."^ 

Another  subject  in  the  parliamentary  discus- 
sions of  Oglethorpe  which  I  shall  mention,  is  his 
defence  of  the  magistracy  and  town-guard  of  the 
city  of  Edinburgh  against  an  arraignment  in  the 
House  of  Lords,  for  what  was  deemed  the  neg- 

'  History  and  Proceedings  of  the  House  of  Commons,  Vol.  VH. 
p.  154. 


20  PORTEOUS  CASE. 

lect  of  prompt  and  energetic  measures  for  suppres- 
sing the  riotous  seizure  and  murder  of  Captain 
Porteous  by  an  exasperated  mob.  The  circum- 
stances were  these. 

After  the  execution  in  the  Grass-market,  on  the 
14th  of  April,  1736,  of  one  Andrew  Wilson,  a 
robber,  the  town-guard,  which  had  been  ordered 
out  on  the  occasion,  was  insulted  by  rude  and 
threatening  speeches,  and  pelted  with  stones,  by 
the  mob.  John  Porteous,  the  captain,  so  resented 
the  annoyance,  that  he  commanded  his  men  to 
fire  over  their  heads,  to  intimidate  them ;  and  then, 
as  their  opposition  became  violent,  he  directed  the 
guard  to  fire  among  them  ;  whereby  six  persons 
were  killed,  and  eleven  severely  wounded.  For 
this  he  was  prosecuted  at  the  expense  of  the  city, 
and  condemned  to  die.  But,  a  short  reprieve  hav- 
ing been  obtained,  the  mob,  determined  to  defeat 
it,  assembled  in  the  night  preceding  the  seventh 
day  of  September,  whereon  he  was  to  have  been 
executed  pursuant  to  the  sentence,  and,  in  a  very 
riotous  manner,  seized  and  disarmed  the  city-guard, 
and  possessed  themselves  of  the  town-gates,  to 
prevent  the  admission  of  troops  quartered  in  the 
suburbs.  They  then  rushed  to  the  Tolbooth  prison  ; 
the  doors  of  which  not  yielding  to  the  force  of  their 
hammers,  they  consumed  by  fire,  and  then  brought 


PORTEOUS   CASE.  21 

forth  Porteous  by  violence,  and  hung  him  on  a 
dyer's  post,  or  frame,  in  the  Grass-market,  nigh  the 
spot  where  the  unfortunate  people  were  killed. 

The  magistrates,  attended  with  several  of  the 
burgesses,  attempted  to  quell  the  riot  and  disperse 
the  mob,  but  were  pelted  with  stones,  and  threat- 
ened to  be  fired  upon  if  they  did  not  retire. 

This  insult  of  the  sovereign  authority  was  too 
flagrant  to  be  overlooked.  Proclamations,  with 
rewards  of  two  hundred  pounds  sterling,  were  is- 
sued for  apprehending  the  rioters,  and,  when  the 
Parliament  met,  vigorous  measures  were  taken  in 
the  aflair.  The  Lord  Provost  was  ordered  up  to 
London  in  custody ;  the  magistrates  summoned  to 
answer  the  indictment,  and  a  bill  was  introduced 
into  the  House  of  Commons  "  to  disable  Alexander 
Wilson,  Esq.,  the  principal  magistrate  during  the 
riots,  from  ever  after  holding  any  office  of  magis- 
tracy in  Edinburgh  or  Great  Britain  ;  to  subject  him 
to  imprisonment  for  a  year ;  to  abolish  the  town 
guard,  and  to  take  away  the  gates  of  the  nether 
Bowport  of  the  city."  Oglethorpe  objected  to  the 
first  reading  of  the  bill,  and  it  encountered  his 
vigorous  opposition.  He  engaged  in  a  warm  de- 
fence of  the  magistrates,  and  of  the  guard,  declar- 
ing that  there  was  no  dereliction  of  duty  on  the 
part  of  the  magistrates  and  of  the  guard,  but  they 


22  MORAVIANS'    PETITION. 

were  overpowered  by  numbers,  and  thrown  into 
actual  jeopardy  by  the  desperation  of  the  mob. 
Hence  the  penalties  of  the  bill  would  be  the  punish- 
ment of  misfortune,  not  of  crime. 

In  consequence  of  the  stand  which  he  thus  took, 
and  the  interest  made  by  others  in  the  House  of 
Commons,  the  bill  was  altered  in  its  most  essential 
circumstances,  and,  instead  of  the  rigorous  inflic- 
tions, "  mercy  rejoiced  against  judgment,"  and  the 
city  was  fined  the  sum  of  two  thousand  pounds,  to 
be  applied  to  the  relief  and  support  of  the  widow 
of  Porteous.^ 

A  petition  was  made  to  Parliament  "  to  extend 
the  benefit  of  a  late  act  for  naturalizing  foreigners 
in  North  America,  to  the  Moravian  Brethren  and 
other  foreign  Protestants  who  made  a  scruple  of 
taking  an  oath,  or  performing  military  service." 
General  Oglethorpe,  in  the  spring  of  1737,  pre- 
sented the  petition  to  the  House  of  Commons,  with 
an  ample  speech,  and  was  supported  by  many  mem- 
bers. The  opinion  of  the  Board  of  Trade  was 
required  on  this  head.  The  Proprietor  of  Penn- 
sylvania promoted  the  affair  among  the  members 
of  Parliament,  and  especially  with  the  Secretary  of 
State,  the  Duke  of  Newcastle,  by  his  good  testi- 

*  See  Appendix  VIII. 


PLEA  FOR  MORAVIANS.  23 

monies  of  the  brethren  in  Pennsylvania.  The 
matter  of  the  bill  was  properly  discussed,  formed 
into  an  act,  and,  having  passed,  with  the  greatest 
satisfaction,  through  both  houses,  received  in  June, 
1747,  the  Royal  assent.' 

On  the  20th  of  February,  1749,  another  petition 
in  behalf  of  the  Moravians  was  presented  to  the 
House  of  Commons ;  and  was  supported  by  a  long 
and  highly  impressive  speech  by  Oglethorpe  con- 
cerning the  origin  of  their  church,  their  constitution, 
their  pious  and  benevolent  labors,  and  particularly, 
what  he  was  most  apprized  of,  their  peaceable  and 
useful  settlements  in  America.  On  the  18th  of 
April,  the  engrossed  bill  was  read  the  third  time  in 
the  House,  was  passed,  nemine  contradicente,  and 
ordered  to  be  carried  to  the  House  of  Lords.  On 
the  21st  of  April,  the  bill  was  carried  by  sixteen 
members  of  the  House  of  Commons  to  the  House 
of  Lords  ;  and,  after  a  short  address  by  Oglethorpe, 
their  leader,  to  Lord  Chancellor  Hardwicke,  was 
accepted  with  great  solemnity,  and  laid  on  the 
table.  After  due  consideration,  the  act  was  passed, 
and  on  the  6th  of  June  the  Royal  assent  was  given 
to  it." 

^  Cranz's  History  of  the  United  Brethren,  translated  by  La  Trobe, 
Lond.  1780,  p.  331. 


CHAPTER    II. 

Oglethorpe  appointed  first  a  Director,  and  then  Deputy  Governor  of 
the  Royal  African  Company  —  Takes  a  compassionate  interest  in 
'the  situation  of  an  African  kidnapped,  sold  as  a  slave,  and  car- 
ried to  Annapolis,  in  Maryland,  a  Province  in  North  America  — 
But  proves  to  have  been  an  Iman,  or  assistant  Priest,  of  Futa, 
and  was  named  Job  Solomon  —  Causes  him  to  be  redeemed,  and 
sent  to  England,  where  he  becomes  serviceable  to  Sir  Hans  Sloane 
for  his  knowledge  of  Arabic;  attracts  also  the  notice  of  persons 
of  rank  and  distinction,  and  is  sent  back  to  Africa. 

In  January,  1731,  Oglethorpe  was  chosen  a  Director 
of  the  Royal  African  Company,  and  the  next  year 
Deputy  Governor.  This  situation  brought  to  his 
knowledge  the  circumstances  of  an  African  slave, 
whose  story  is  so  interesting,  that  a  few  pages  may 
be  allowed  for  its  recital. 

A  negro,  called  Job,  was  purchased  on  the  coast 
of  Africa  by  Captain  Pyke,  commander  of  a  vessel 
belonging  to  Mr.  Hunt,  a  rich  merchant  of  Liver- 
pool, and  carried  to  Annapolis,  Maryland,  where, 
with  others,  he  was  delivered  to  Michael  Denton, 
the  factor  of  Hunt,  who  sold  him  to  Mr.  Tolsey. 


JOB   SOLOMON.  25 

He  was  at  first  employed  in  the  cultivation  of  to- 
bacco ;  but  his  humane  master  perceiving  that  he 
could  not  bear  the  fatigue,  rendered  his  situation 
more  tolerable  by  charging  him  with  the  care  of 
his  cattle.  While  in  this  employment,  he  used  to 
retire,  at  stated  times,  to  the  recesses  of  a  wood,  to 
pray.  He  was  seen  there  by  a  white  boy,  who 
amused  himself  with  interrupting  him,  and  often 
with  wantonly  insulting  him  by  throwing  dust  in 
his  eyes.  This  greatly  added  to  Job's  melancholy, 
which  was  increased  by  his  having  no  means  of 
making  known  the  annoyance  and  abuse  to  which  he 
was  subjected,  so  that  he  grew  desperate,  and  made 
his  escape.  He  travelled  through  the  woods  till 
he  came  to  the  county  of  Kent,  on  Delaware  bay, 
in  Maryland,  where,  having  no  pass,  and  not  being 
able  to  give  any  account  of  himself,  he  was  taken 
up  as  a  fugitive  slave,  and  put  into  prison.  While 
there,  his  behavior  attracted  more  than  common 
notice.  Besides  a  stateliness  of  bearing,  and  an 
air  of  self-importance,  which  shew  that  he  could 
be  no  ordinary  person,  he  was  observed  to  use 
prostrations  at  regular  periods  of  the  day,  and  to 
repeat  sentences  with  great  solemnity  and  earnest- 
ness. Curiosity  attracted  to  the  prison  certain 
English  merchants,  among  whom  Mr.Thomas  Bluet 
was  the  most  inquisitive.     He  was  able,  from  an 


26  JOB   SOLOMON. 

old  negro,  who  was  a  Foulali/  and  understood  the 
language  of  Job,  to  obtain  some  information  re- 
specting his  former  condition  and  character.  These 
particulars  were  communicated  to  his  master  Tol- 
sey,  who  had  been  apprized  of  his  capture,  and 
come  to  reclaim  him.  In  consideration,  therefore, 
of  what  he  had  been,  he  not  only  forebore  inflicting 
punishment  on  him  for  desertion,  but  treated  him 
with  great  indulgence.  Having  ascertained  that 
Job  had  in  his  possession  certain  slips  of  a  kind  of 
paper,  on  which  he  wrote  strange  characters,  he 
furnished  him  with  some  sheets  of  paper,  and  signi- 
fied a  wish  that  he  should  use  it.  Job  profited  of 
his  kindness,  to  write  a  letter  to  his  father.  This 
was  committed  to  Denton,  to  entrust  to  his  captain 
on  the  first  voyage  which  he  should  make  to  Africa ; 
but  he  having  sailed  for  England,  it  was  sent  en- 
closed to  Mr.  Hunt,  at  London.  When  it  arrived 
there.  Captain  Pyke  was  on  his  voyage  to  Africa. 
Here,  however,  it  was  shewn  to  the  Governor  of 
the  Royal  African  Company,  and  thus  it  "  fell  into 
the  hands,"  says  my  author,  "  of  the  celebrated 
Oglethorpe,^  who  sent  it  to  the  University  of  Ox- 
ford to  be   translated,  as  it  was  discovered  to  be 

'  In  the    relation  which  I  follow    this  appellation    is   written 
Pholey. 
'  Bluet. 


JOB  SOLOMON.  27 

written  in  Arabic.  The  information  which  it  im- 
parted of  the  disastrous  fate  of  the  writer,  so 
awakened  his  compassion,  that  he  engaged  Mr. 
Hunt,  bj  an  obligation  to  refund  all  expenses,  to 
have  Job  redeemed,  and  brought  to  England.  This 
was  immediately  attended  to,  and  he  was  sent  in 
the  William,  commanded  by  captain  Wright,  and 
in  the  same  vessel  was  Mr.  Bluet,  who  became  so 
attached  to  him,  that,  on  their  landing,  he  went 
with  him  to  London,  where  they  arrived  in  April, 
1733.  As  he  did  not  find  Oglethorpe,  who  had 
gone  to  Georgia,  Bluet  took  him  to  his  own  house 
at  Cheshunt,  in  Hertfordshire.  There  Job  recom- 
mended himself  by  his  manly  and  courteous  be- 
havior ;  and  applied  himself  so  diligently  to  learn 
the  English  language,  that  he  was  soon  able  to 
speak,  and  even  write  it  with  correctness. 

In  the  mean  time  a  letter  was  sent  in  his  behalf 
by  Oglethorpe  to  the  African  Company,  requesting 
them  to  take  up  his  obligation  to  Mr.  Hinit,  and  to 
pay  the  expenses  of  his  voyage  and  accommodation 
after  his  arrival  ;  and  to  answer  the  bills  of  Mr. 
Bluet  for  his  keeping  and  instruction,  till  he  him- 
self should  return.  This  was  readily  done,  and  his 
emancipation  effected  for  forty  pounds  ;  and  twenty 
pounds,  bond  and  charges,  were  raised  by  subscrip- 
tion. 


28  JOB  SOLOMON. 

Job's  knowledge  of  Arabic  rendered  him  ser- 
viceable to  Sir  Hans  Sloane,  who  often  employed 
him  ill  translating  Arabic  manuscripts,  and  inscrip- 
tions upon  medals.  To  bring  him  into  due  notice, 
Sir  Hans  had  him  dressed  in  the  costume  of  his 
country,  and  presented  to  the  king  and  royal  family ; 
by  whom  he  was  graciously  received ;  and  her 
majesty  gave  him  a  beautiful  gold  watch.  The 
same  day  he  dined  with  the  Duke  of  Montague  ; 
who  afterwards  took  him  to  his  country  seat,  where 
he  was  shewn,  and  taught  the  use  of,  the  tools  em- 
ployed in  agriculture  and  gardening.  The  same 
nobleman  procured  for  him  a  great  number  of  these 
implements,  which  were  put  into  cases,  and  carried 
aboard  the  vessel  in  which  he  was  to  return  to  his 
native  country.  He  received  various  other  presents 
from  many  persons ;  some  of  these,  according  to 
Mr.  Moore,  were  their  Royal  Highnesses,  the  Earl 
of  Pembroke,  several  ladies  of  distinction,  Mr. 
Holden,  and  members  of  the  Royal  African  Com- 
pany. 

In  the  reference  to  him  in  Nichols's  Literary 
Anecdotes^  vi.  p.  91,  it  is  said  "  he  returned  home 
loaded  with  presents  to  the  amount  of  live  hundred 
pounds."'  After  having  passed  fourteen  months  in 
England,  he  embarked,  in  the  month  of  July,  1734, 
on   board   a  vessel  belonging  to  the  Royal  African 


JOB  SOLOMON.  29 

Company,  which  was  bound  for  the  river  Gaml)ia, 
and  carried  out  Thomas  Moore  to  accomjilisli  some 
business  at  a  Factory  of  the  Company's  at  Joar, 
to  whose  particular  care  Job  was  committed. 

While  in  England,  his  friend  Bluet,  collected 
from  Job  the  history  of  his  life,  which  he  published,^ 
and  from  which  some  of  the  preceding,  and  several 
of  the  following  particulars  are  extracted. 

The  name  of  this  extraordinary  man  was  Ayoub 
Ibn  Soliman  Ibrahim,  that  is.  Job  the  son  of 
Solomon  the  son  of  Abraham.  His  nation  was 
that  of  the  Jalofs  ;  his  tribe,  or  cast,  the  Pholey, 
or  Foulah ;  and  his  native  place  Bunda,  a  city  of 
Galumbo,  in  the  kingdom  of  Futa,  in  Central  Africa, 
opposite  Tombuto.^ 

Ibrahim,  the  grandfather  of  Job,  was  the  founder 
of  the  city  of  Bunda,  during  the  reign  of  Abubeker, 
then  king  of  Futa ;  who  gave  him  the  proprietor- 
ship and  government  of  it,  with  the  title  of  Alfa  or 
High  Priest.  After  his  death,  the  dignity,  which 
was  hereditary  in  the  family,  passed  to  the  father 

*  Memoirs  of  the  Life  of  Job,  the  son  of  Solomon,  the  High  Priest 
of  Bunda,  in  Africa.  By  Thomas  Bluet.  London,  1734  ;  8vo., 
dedicated  to  the  Duke  of  Montague. 

*  The  affix  to  his  name  is  sometimes  spelt  Jalla,  Jalof,  and 
Dgialla.  These  indicate  the  name  of  the  tribe,  or  nation,  to 
which  he  belonged ;  which  was  that  of  the  Jalofs,  on  the  river 
Sanaga,  and  along  the  Gambia. 


30  JOB  SOLOMON. 

of  Job.  On  the  decease  of  Abubeker,  his  brother, 
the  Prince  of  Jelazi,  succeeded  to  the  royalty  ;  he, 
being  ah'eady  the  father  of  a  son,  entrusted  him  to 
the  care  of  Soliman,  the  father  of  Job,  to  have  him 
taught  the  Arabic  language,  and  the  Alcoran.  Job 
became,  in  this  way,  the  fellow  student  and  com- 
panion of  this  young  prince.  Jelazi  lived  but  a 
short  time,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  son. 

When  Job  had  attained  the  age  of  fifteen,  he  as- 
sisted his  father  in  the  capacity  of  Iman,  or  inferior 
priest,  and  soon  after  married  the  daughter  of  the 
Alfa  of  Tombuto.  By  her  he  had  three  sons, 
Abdallah,  Ibrahim,  and  Sambo.  Two  years  before 
his  captivity  he  took  a  second  wife,  the  daughter 
of  the  Alfa  of  Tomga  ;  by  whom  he  had  a  daughter 
named  Fatima.  His  two  wives  and  his  four  child- 
ren were  alive  when  he  left  Bunda. 

In  the  month  of  February,  1730,  the  father  of 
Job,  having  learnt  that  an  English  vessel  had  ar- 
rived in  the  Gambia,  sent  his  son  thither,  attended 
by  two  domestics,  to  procure  some  European  com- 
modities ;  but  charged  him  not  to  cross  the  river, 
because  the  inhabitants  of  the  opposite  bank  were 
Mandingoes,  enemies  of  the  kingdom  of  Futa. 

Job,  coming  to  no  agreement  with  Captain  Fyke, 
the  commander  of  the  English  vessel,  sent  back 
his  two  domestics  to  Bunda,  to  render  an  account 


JOB  SOLOMON.  31 

of  his  affairs  to  his  father,  and  to  inform  him  that 
his  curiosity  induced  him  to  travel  further.  With 
this  view  he  made  a  contract  with  a  negro  mer- 
chant, named  Loumein-Yoa,  who  understood  the 
language  of  the  Mandingoes,  to  serve  hini  as  an 
interpreter  and  guide  on  a  pacific  expedition  and 
overture.  Having  passed  the  river  Gambia,  when 
the  heat  compelled  him  to  avail  himself  of  the  cool- 
ing shade  of  the  forest,  he  suspended  his  arms  upon 
a  tree,  to  rest  himself.  They  consisted  of  a  sabre, 
with  a  handle  of  gold  ;  a  dagger  in  a  sheath,  with 
a  hilt  of  the  same  metal ;  and  a  rich  quiver  filled 
with  arrows,  of  which  king  Sambo,  the  son  of 
Jelazi,  had  made  him  a  present.  "  His  evil  des- 
tiny willed  ",  ^  that  a  troop  of  Mandingoes,  accus- 
tomed to  pillage,  should  pass  that  way,  who,  dis- 
covering him  unarmed,  seized  him,  shaved  his  head 
and  chin  ;  and,  on  the  27th  of  February,  sold  him, 
with  his  interpreter,  to  Captain  Pyke  ;  and,  on  the 
first  of  March,  they  were  put  on  board  the  vessel. 
Pyke,  however,  learning  from  Job  that  he  was  the 
same  person  who  had  attempted  to  trade  with  him 
some  days  before,  and  that  he  was  a  slave  only  by 
having  been  kidnapped,  gave  him  leave  to  ransom 


'  This  is  the  explanation  of  Job,  who  being  a  Mahometan,  was  a 
fatalist  in  his  belief. 


32  JOB   SOLOMON. 

himself  and  his  companion.  Accordingly,  Job  im- 
mediately sent  to  a  friend  of  his  father,  who  dwelt 
at  Joar,  where  the  vessel  then  lay,  to  beseech  him 
to  send  news  of  his  captivity.  But  the  distance 
being  fifteen  days  journey,  the  Captain,  after  wait- 
ing some  time,  found  it  necessary  to  set  sail,  and 
the  unfortunate  Job  was  carried  off,  and  sold,  as  has 
been  already  mentioned. 

He  is  described  as  being  a  fine  figure,  five  feet 
ten  inches  in  height ;  of  a  pleasing  but  grave  coun- 
tenance, and  having  strait  black  hair.^  His  natural 
qualities  were  excellent.  He  was  possessed  of  a 
solid  judgment,  a  ready  and  wonderfully  retentive 
memory,  an  ardent  love  for  truth,  and  a  sweet  dis- 
position, mild,  affectionate,  and  grateful.  His  reli- 
gion was  Mahometanism ;  but  he  rejected  the  idea 
of  a  sensual  paradise,  and  several  other  traditions 
that  are  held  among  the  Turks.  The  foundation 
of  his  principles  was  the  unity  of  God  ;  whose  name 
he  never  pronounced  without  some  particular  indi- 
cation of  respect.     "  The  ideas  which  he  held  of 


'  There  is  a  scarce  octavo  portrait  of  him,  head  and  shoulders 
only,  etched  by  the  celebrated  painter,  Mr.  Hoare,  of  Bath,  in  1734, 
as  appears  by  a  manuscript  note  on  the  impression  of  it  in  Mr. 
Eindley's  possession.  Under  the  print  is  engraved,  "  Job,  son  of 
SoUiman  Dgialla,  high  priest  of  Bonda,  in  the  country  of  Foota, 
Africa." 


JOB  SOLOMON.  33 

the  Supreme  Being  and  of  a  future  state,  appeared 
very  reasonable  to  the  English  ;  but  he  was  so  firm 
in  the  persuasion  of  the  divine  unity,  that  it  was 
impossible  to  get  him  to  reason  calmly  upon  the 
doctrine  of  the  Trinity.  A  New  Testament  in 
Arabic  had  been  given  him.  He  read  it ;  and,  giv- 
ing his  ideas,  respectfully,  concerning  it,  began  by 
declaring  that  having  examined  it  carefully,  he 
could  not  find  a  word  from  which  he  could  conclude 
that  there  were  three  Gods."  ^ 

Job  landed  at  Fort  English  on  the  8th  of  August, 
1734.  He  was  recommended  particularly  by  the 
Directors  of  the  Royal  African  Company  to  the 
Governor  and  Factors.  They  treated  him  with 
much  respect  and  civility.  The  hope  of  finding 
one  of  his  countrymen  at  Joar,  induced  him  to  set 
out  on  the  23d  in  the  shallop  with  Mr.  Moore,  who 
was  going  to  take  the  direction  of  the  factory  there. 
On  the  26th  at  evening  they  arrived  at  the  creek 
of  Damasensa.     Whilst  Job  was  seated  under  a 

'  "  II  etoit  si  ferme  dans  la  persuasion  de  I'unite  divine,  qu'il  fut 
impossible  de  le  faire  raisonner  paisiblement  sur  la  Trinite.  On 
lui  avoit  donn6  un  Nouveau  Testament  dans  sa  langue,  il  le  lut,  et 
s'expliquant,  avec  respect,  sur  ce  livre,  il  commencapar  declarer  que 
I'ayant  examin^  fort  soigneusement,  il  n'y  avoit  pas  trouv6  un  mot 
d'ou  Ton  fuit  conclure  qu'il  y  eut  trois  dieux."  Histoire  ginirah 
des  Voyages,  par  V Abbe  A.  ¥.  Vrbvost.  4to.  Paris.  1747.  Tom. 
III.  p.  116. 

5 


34  JOB   SOLOMON. 

tree  with  the  English,  he  saw  seven  or  eight  ne- 
groes pass  of  the  nation  that  had  made  him  a  slave, 
thirty  miles  from  that  place.  Though  he  was  of  a 
mild  disposition,  he  could  hardly  refrain  from  at- 
tacking them  with  his  sabre  and  pistols ;  but  Moore 
made  him  give  up  all  thought  of  this,  by  represent- 
ing to  him  the  imprudence  and  danger  of  such  a 
measure.  They  called  the  negroes  to  them,  to  ask 
them  various  questions,  and  to  inquire  particularly 
what  had  become  of  the  king,  their  master.  They 
answered  that  he  had  lost  his  life  by  the  discharge 
of  a  pistol,  which  he  ordinarily  carried  suspended 
to  his  neck,  and  which,  going  off  by  accident,  had 
killed  him  on  the  spot.  As  this  pistol  was  supposed 
to  have  been  one  of  the  articles  which  he  had  re- 
ceived of  Captain  Pyke  as  the  price  of  Job,  the  now 
redeemed  captive,  deeply  affected  by  the  circum- 
stance, turning  to  his  conductors,  said,  "  You  see 
that  Heaven  has  made  the  very  arms  for  which  I 
was  sold,  serve  as  the  punishment  of  the  inexorable 
wretch  who  made  my  freedom  their  procurement ! 
And  yet  I  ought  to  be  thankful  for  the  lot  into 
which  I  was  cast,  because  if  I  had  not  been  made 
a  captive,  I  should  not  have  seen  such  a  country 
as  England ;  nor  known  the  language ;  nor  have 
the  many  useful  and  precious  things  that  I  possess ; 
nor  become  acquainted  with  men  so  generous  as  I 


JOB   SOLOMON.  35 

have  met  with,  not  only  to  redeem  me  from  bond- 
age, but  to  shew  met  great  kindness,  and  send 
me  back  so  much  more  capable  of  being  useful." 
Indeed,  he  did  not  cease  to  praise  highly  the  Eng- 
lish in  conversing  with  the  Africans,  and  endeavored 
to  reclaim  those  poor  creatures  from  the  prejudice 
they  had  that  the  slaves  were  eaten,  or  killed  for 
some  other  purpose,  because  no  one  was  known 
to  have  returned. 

Having  met  with  a  Foulah,  with  whom  he  had 
been  formerly  acquainted,  he  engaged  him  to  notify 
his  family  of  his  return  ;  but  four  months  elapsed 
before  he  received  any  intelligence  from  Bunda. 
On  the  14th  of  January,  1735,  the  messenger  came 
back,  bearing  the  sad  tidings  that  his  father  had 
died ;  with  the  consolation,  however,  of  learning, 
just  before  his  death,  of  the  ransom  of  his  son,  and 
of  the  favor  which  he  had  received  in  England. 
One  of  the  wives  of  Job  had  married  again,  in  his 
absence  ;  and  the  second  husband  had  fled  on  being 
informed  of  the  arrival  of  the  first.  During  the 
last  three  years,  the  war  had  made  such  ravages  in 
the  country  of  Bunda,  that  no  cattle  remained  there. 

Job  was  deeply  affected  with  the  death  of  his 
father,  the  misfortunes  of  his  country,  and  the  situ- 
ation of  his  family.  He  protested,  however,  that 
he  pardoned  his  wife,  and  the  man  who  had  es- 


36  JOB   SOLOMON. 

poused  her.  "  They  had  reason,"  he  said,  "  to 
suppose  me  lost  to  them  forever,  because  I  had 
gone  to  a  country  from  which  no  Foulah  had  ever 
returned." 

When  Moore,  from  whose  narrative  these  partic- 
ulars are  extracted,  left  Africa,  he  was  charged  with 
letters  from  Job,  who  remained  at  Joar,  to  Ogle- 
thorpe, Bluet,  the  Duke  of  Montague,  his  principal 
benefactors,  and  to  the  Royal  African  Company.^ 

"On  Thursday,  November  4th,  1737,  Sir  Hans 
Sloane  communicated  to  the  Royal  Society  a  letter 
which  a  gentleman  had  received  from  Job,  the 
African,  ivhoin  Mr.  Oglethorpe  released  from 
slavery,  and  the  African  Company  sent  home  to  his 
own  country,  in  one  of  their  ships,  about  twelve 
months  ago.  In  this  letter  he  very  gratefully  ac- 
knowledges the  favor  he  received  in  England ;  and, 
in  answer  to  some  things  desired  of  him  when  here, 
says  that  he  has  been  in  the  country  where  the  tree 
producing  the  gum- Arabic  grows,  and  can  assist  the 
English  in  that  trade.  He  furthur  says,  that  he  has 
been  up  in  the  country,  as  far  as  the  mountains 

'  Travels  into  the  inland  parts  of  Africa  ;  containing  a  description 
of  several  nations  for  the  space  of  600  miles  upon  the  river  Gambia  ; 
with  a  particular  account  of  Job  ben  Solomon,  a  Pholey,  who  was  in 
England  in  1733,  and  known  hy  the  name  of  "  the  African  Prince." 
By  Francis  Moore.    London,  173S. 


JOB   SOLOMON.  37 

from  whence  the  gold-dust  is  wafted  down  ;  and 
that  if  the  English  would  build  flat-bottomed  boats 
to  go  up  the  river,  and  send  persons  well  skilled  in 
separating  the  gold  from  the  ore,  they  might  gain 
vastly  more  than  at  present  they  do  by  the  dust 
trade ;  and  that  he  should  be  always  ready  and 
willing  to  use  the  utmost  of  his  power,  (which  is 
very  considerable  in  that  country,)  to  encourage 
and  support  them  therein."  ^ 

Mr.  Nichols,  who  has  inserted  his  name  among 
the  members  of  the  Gentleman'' s  Society  at  Spalding, 
adds,  "died  1773." ^ 

»  Political  State  of  Great  Britain,  Vol.  LIII.  p.  18. 
2  Literary  Anecdotes,  Vol.  VI.  p.  90. 


CHAPTER  III. 

Project  for  settling  the  south-western  frontier  of  Carolina— A  Charter 
granted  for  it,  by  the  name  of  Georgia  —  Trustees  appointed,  who 
arrange  a  plan  of  Settlement — They  receive  a  grant  of  Money 
from  Parliament,  and  from  Subscriptions  and  Contributions  — 
Oglethorpe  takes  a  lively  interest  in  it  —  States  the  Object,  and 
suggests  Motives  for  Emigration  —  A  Vessel  hired  to  convey  the 
Emigrants  —  Oglethorpe  offers  to  accompany  the  intended  Colo- 
nists—  His  disinterested  devotedness  to  the  benevolent  and 
patriotic  Enterprise. 

The  project,  which  had  been  for  some  time  in  con- 
templation, of  settling  the  south-eastern  frontier  of 
Carolina,  between  the  rivers  Savannah  and  Ala- 
tamaha,^  suggested  to  Oglethorpe  that  it  could  be 
effected  by  procuring  the  liberation  of  insolvent 
debtors,  and  uniting  with  them  such  other  persons 
in  reduced  circumstances  as  might  be  collected  else- 
where, and  inducing  them  to  emigrate  thither  and 
form  a  settlement. 

'  See  A  Discourse  concerning  the  designed  establishment  of  a  new 
Colony  to  the  south  of  Carolina,  by  Sir  Robert  Montgomery,  Baro- 
net.   London,  1717. 


ACT  FOR  SETTLING  GEORGIA.  39 

As  such  a  project  and  design  required  for  its 
furtherance  more  means  than  an  individual  could 
furnish,  and  more  managing  and  directing  power 
than,  unaided,  he  himself  could  exert,  Oglethorpe 
sought  the  cooperation  of  wealthy  and  influential 
persons  in  the  beneficent  enterprise.  Concurring 
with  his  views,  twenty-one  associates  petitioned 
the  throne  for  an  act  of  incorporation,  and  obtained 
letters-patent,  bearing  date  the  9th  of  June, 
1732  ;  the  preamble  of  which  recited,  among  other 
things,  that  "  many  of  his  Majesty's  poor  subjects 
were,  through  misfortunes  and  want  of  employ- 
ment, reduced  to  great  necessities,  and  would  be 
glad  to  be  settled  in  any  of  his  provinces  of  Amer- 
ica, where,  by  cultivating  the  waste  and  desolate 
lands,  they  might  not  only  gain  a  comfortable  sub- 
sistence, but  also  strengthen  the  colonies,  and 
increase  the  trade,  navigation,  and  wealth  of  his 
Majesty's  realms."  And  then  added,  that,  for  the 
considerations  aforesaid,  the  King  did  constitute 
and  appoint  certain  persons,  whose  names  are  given, 
"  trustees  for  settling  and  establishing  the  colony  of 
Georgia  in  America,"  the  intended  new  province 
being  so  called  in  honor  of  the  King,  who  encour- 
aged readily  the  benevolent  project,  and  contributed 
largely  to  its  furtherance. 

At  the  desire   of  these  gentlemen,  there   were 


40  TERMS  OF  THE   CHARTER. 

inserted  clauses  in  the  charter,  restraining  them 
and  their  successors  from  receiving  any  salary,  fee, 
perquisite,  or  profit,  whatsoever,  by  or  from  this 
undertaking ;  and  also  from  receiving  any  grant  of 
lands  within  the  said  district  to  themselves,  or  in 
trust  for  them.^ 

"  No  colony,"  says  Southey,  "  was  ever  estab- 
lished upon  principles  more  honorable  to  its  pro- 
jectors. The  conduct  of  the  trustees  did  not 
discredit  their  profession.  They  looked  for  no 
emolument  to  themselves  or  their  representatives 
after  them."^ 

In  pursuance  of  the  requisitions  of  the  charter, 
the  trustees  held  a  meeting  in  London,  about  the 
middle  of  July,  for  the  choice  of  officers,  and  the 
drawing  up  of  rules  for  the  transaction  of  business. 
They  adopted  a  seal  for  the  authentication  of  such 
official  papers  as  they  should  issue.  It  was  formed 
with  two  faces ;  one  for  legislative  acts,  deeds,  and 
commissions,  and  the  other,  "  the  common  seal," 
as  it  was  called,  to  be  affixed  to  grants,  orders, 
certificates,  &c.  The  device  on  the  one  was  two 
figures  resting  upon  urns,  representing  the  rivers 
Savannah  and  Alatamaha,  the  north-eastern  and 


*  Appendix,  No.  IX. 

*  Southey's  Life  of  Wesley,  Vol.  I.  p.  179. 


SEAL   OF  TRUSTEES.  4^ 

south-western  boundaries  of  the  province,  between 
which  the  genius  of  the  colony  was  seated,  with  a 
cap  of  Hberty  on  her  head,  a  spear  in  one  hand, 
and  a  cornucopia  in  the  other,  with  the  inscription 
CoLONiA  Georgia  Aug  :  On  the  other  face  was  a 
representation  of  silk-worms  ;  some  beginning,  and 
others  completing  their  labors,  which  were  charac- 
terized by  the  motto,  non  sibi  sed  aliis.  This 
inscription  announced  the  beneficent  disposition 
and  disinterested  motives  of  the  trustees  ;  while  the 
device  was  an  allusion  to  a  special  object  which 
they  had  in  view,  —  the  production  of  silk. 

They  had  learned  that  the  climate  of  the  region 
was  particularly  favorable  to  the  breeding  of  the 
worms,  and  that  the  mulberry-tree  was  indigenous 
there.  They  conceived  that  the  attention  requisite, 
during  the  few  weeks  of  the  feeding  of  the  worms, 
might  be  paid  by  the  women  and  children,  the  old 
and  infirm,  without  taking  off"  the  active  men  from 
their  employment,  or  calling  in  the  laborers  from 
their  work.  For  encouragement  and  assistance  in 
the  undertaking,  they  were  willing  to  engage  per- 
sons from  Italy,  acquainted  with  the  method  of 
feeding  the  worms  and  winding  the  thread  from  the 
cocoons,  to  go  over  with  the  settlers,  and  instruct 
them  in  the  whole  process.  And  they  intended  to 
recommend  it  strongly  to  the  emigrants  to  use  their 


42  CULTURE  OF   SILK. 

Utmost  skill  and  diligence  in  the  culture  of  mul- 
berry trees,  and  the  prompt  attention  to  the  purpose 
to  which  their  leaves  were  to  be  applied  ;  so  that, 
in  due  time  the  nation  might  receive  such  remit- 
tances of  raw  silk  as  would  evince  that  their  liber- 
ality towards  effecting  the  settlement  was  well 
applied,  and  available  in  produce  of  an  article  of 
importation  of  so  valuable  a  nature,  and  in  great 
demand. 

The  trustees  were  excited  to  this  project  by 
Oglethorpe,  who  had  been  deeply  engaged  in  ascer- 
taining the  value  of  wrought  silk  as  an  article  of 
commerce,  and  also  of  the  raw  silk  for  domestic 
manufacture,  at  the  time  when  Mr.  John  Lombe's 
invention  for  winding  and  reeling  had  been  brought 
before  Parliament.  And  now  he  considered  that  it 
would  be  an  exceedingly  desirable  project  to  intro- 
duce the  raising  of  the  commodity  in  the  projected 
new  settlement,  and  thus  diminish  to  the  nation 
the  large  sums  annually  expended  in  the  import- 
ation. 

This  is  one  of  those  prospective  measures  for  the 
advancement  of  the  colony,  which  were  nearly  a 
century  before  the  age.^  Others  will  hereafter  be 
mentioned  alike  entitled  to  wonder  and  admiration. 

*  See  in  the  Appendix  to  this  volume,  a  brief  history  of  the  cul- 
ture of  silk  in  Georgia. 


CONTRIBUTIONS  OBTAINED.  43 

In  order  to  fulfil  the  intent  and  promote  the  pur- 
poses of  their  incorporation,  the  trustees  gave  public 
notice  that  they  were  ready  to  receive  applications 
from  such  as  were  disposed  to  emigrate.  They  also 
appointed  a  committee  to  visit  the  prisons,  and 
make  a  list  of  insolvent  debtors  for  whom  a  dis- 
charge from  the  demands  of  their  creditors  could 
be  obtained,  and  to  ascertain  what  compromise 
might  be  effected  for  their  release  ;  ^  as  also  to  in- 
quire into  the  circumstances  and  character  of  appli- 
cants. To  render  these  more  willing  to  emigrate, 
it  became  necessary  to  hold  out  encouragement  and 
to  offer  outfits.  To  defray  these  and  meet  subse- 
quent expenses  in  carrying  the  enterprize  into 
effect,  they  first  set  the  example  of  contribution 
themselves,  and  then  undertook  to  solicit  benefac- 
tions from  others.  Several  individuals  subscribed 
liberally ;  collections  were  made  throughout  the 
kingdom ;  the  directors  of  the  Bank  of  England 
volunteered  a  handsome  contribution  ;  and  the  Par- 
liament gave  ten  thousand  pounds. 

Having  thus  acquired  a  fund  to  be  laid  out  in 

*  "  That  thou  mayest  say  to  the  prisoners,  Go  forth  !  to  them  that 
are  in  darkness,  Shew  yourselves !  They  shall  feed  in  the  ways. 
They  shall  no  longer  hunger  or  thirst ;  for  he  that  hath  mercy 
ON  THEM  SHALL  LEAD  THEM,  even  by  the  springs  of  water  shall  he 
guide  them,  with  those  that  come  from  far."    Isaiah  xlix.  9, 11. 


44  PROPOSALS  TO  EMIGRANTS. 

clothinc:,  arming,  sending  over,  and  supporting  the 
emigrants,  and  for  supplying  them  with  necessary 
implements  to  commence  and  carry  on  the  settle- 
ment, the  following  statement  was  published  : 
"  There  arc  many  poor,  unfortunate  persons  in  this 
country,  who  would  willingly  labor  for  their  bread, 
if  they  could  find  employment  and  get  bread  for 
laboring.  Such  persons  may  be  provided  for  by 
being  sent  to  a  country  where  there  are  vast  tracts 
of  fertile  land  lying  uninhabited  and  uncultivated. 
They  will  be  taken  care  of  on  their  passage  ;  they 
will  get  lands  on  which  to  employ  their  industry ; 
they  will  be  furnished  with  sufficient  tools  for  setting 
their  industry  to  work ;  and  they  will  be  provided 
with  a  certain  support,  till  the  fruits  of  their  industry 
can  come  in  to  supply  their  wants  ;  and  all  this  with- 
out subjecting  themselves  to  any  master,  or  sub- 
mitting to  any  slavery.  The  fruits  of  every  man's 
own  industry  are  to  be  his  own.  Every  man  who 
transports  himself  thither  is  to  enjoy  all  the  privi- 
leges of  a  free-born  subject."  ^ 

Oglethorpe  himself  stated  the  object,  the  motive, 
and  the  inducements  of  such  an  emigration  in  the 
following  terms.  "  They  who  can  make  life  toler- 
able here,  are  willing  to  stay  at  home,  as  it  is  indeed 

•  Political  state  of  Great  Britain,  for  August,  1732,  Vol,  XLIV. 
p.  150. 


OGLETHORPE'S  STATEMENT.        45 

best  for  the  kingdom  that  thej  should.  But  they 
who  are  oppressed  with  poverty  and  misfortunes, 
are  unable  to  be  at  the  charges  of  removing  from 
their  miseries,  and  these  are  the  persons  intended 
to  be  relieved.  And  let  us  cast  our  eyes  on  the 
multitude  of  unfortunate  individuals  in  the  kingdom, 
of  reputable  families,  and  of  liberal,  or  at  least  easy 
education,  some  undone  by  guardians,  some  by  law- 
suits, some  by  accidents  in  commerce,  some  by 
stocks  and  bubbles,  and  some  by  suretyship  ;  but 
all  agree  in  this  one  circumstance,  that  they  must 
either  be  burdensome  to  their  relations,  or  betake 
themselves  to  little  shifts  for  sustenance,  which,  it 
is  ten  to  one  do  not  answer  their  purposes,  and  to 
which  a  well-educated  person  descends  with  the 
utmost  constraint.  What  various  misfortunes  may 
reduce  the  rich,  the  industrious,  to  danger  of  a 
prison,  —  to  a  moral  certainty  of  starving !  —  These 
are  the  persons  that  may  relieve  themselves,  and 
strengthen  Georgia  by  resorting  thither,  and  Great 
Britain  by  their  departure. 

"  With  a  view  to  the  relief  of  people  in  the  con- 
dition I  have  described,  his  Majesty  has,  this  pre- 
sent year,  incorporated  a  considerable  number  of 
persons  of  quality  and  distinction,  and  invested  a 
large  tract  of  South  Carolina  in  them,  by  the  name 
of  Georgia,  in  trust,  to  be  distributed  among  the 


46         A  VESSEL  PROVIDED  FOR  EMIGRANTS. 

necessitous.  Those  Trustees  not  only  give  land  to 
the  unhappy,  who  go  thither,  but  are  also  empow- 
ered to  receive  the  voluntary  contributions  of  chari- 
table persons  to  enable  them  to  furnish  the  poor 
adventurers  with  all  necessaries  for  the  expense  of 
the  voyage,  occupying  the  land,  and  supporting 
them,  until  they  find  themselves  settled.  So  that 
now  the  unfortunate  will  not  be  obliged  to  bind 
themselves  to  a  long  service  to  pay  for  their  pas- 
sage, for  they  may  be  carried  gratis  into  a  land  of 
liberty  and  plenty,  where  they  will  immediately  find 
themselves  in  possession  of  a  competent  estate,  in 
a  happier  climate  than  they  knew  before,  —  and 
they  are  unfortunate  indeed  if  they  cannot  forget 
their  sorrows."  * 

When  the  Trustees  had  got  a  list  of  a  sufficient 
number  of  persons  disposed  to  emigrate,  they  re- 
solved to  send  them  over. 

A  vessel  was  hired  to  convey  the  emigrants, 
fitted  up  for  their  accommodation,  and  supplied 
with  stores,  not  only  for  the  voyage,  but  for  their 
support  after  their  arrival.  The  Trustees  also  fur- 
nished tools  for  building,  implements  for  husbandry, 
domestic  utensils,  and  various  other  articles ;  and 


'  New  and  Accurate  Account  of  the  Provinces  of  South  Carolina  and 
Georgia.    London.    1733.    p.  30  — 33. 


OGLETHORPE  GOES  WITH  SETTLERS.    47 

James  Oglethorpe,  Esq.,  one  of  the  Trustees, 
and  the  most  zealous  and  active  promoter  of  the 
enterprise,  having  signified  his  readiness  to  go  with 
the  emigrants,  and  in  the  same  ship,  in  order  to  see 
that  they  were  well  treated,  and  to  take  care  of 
them  after  their  landing,  was  clothed  with  power 
to  exercise  the  functions  of  Governor  of  the 
Colony."  ^ 

He  was  prompted  to  engage  in  this  undertaking 
by  the  spirit  of  enterprise  and  an  enlarged  philan- 
thropy and  patriotism.  While  the  benevolent  pur- 
pose called  into  exercise  his  noblest  feelings,  he 
considered  that  the  settlement  of  a  new  colony,  in 
a  pleasant  region,  would  not  only  raise  the  charac- 
ter and  highly  improve  the  condition  of  those  by 
whom  it  was  constituted,  but  contribute  to  the 
interests  of  the  British  empire. 

In  all  this  he  was  actuated  by  motives  wholly 
disinterested ;  for  he  freely  devoted  his  time,  his 
exertions,  and  his  influence  to  the  enterprise  ;  and 
not  only  bore  his  own  expenses,  but  contributed 
largely  to  the  means  and  assistance  of  others.^ 

The  Abbe  Raynal,  in  his  Philosophical  and  Po- 

'  Account,  shewing  the  progress  of  the  Colony  of  Georgia  from  its 
first  settlement ;  published  by  order  of  the  Honorable  Trustees,  by 
Benjamin  Martin,  Secretary.    London.    1741. 

'  See  Appendix,  No.  X. 


48  ABBE   RAYNAL'S   STATEMENT. 

litical  History  of  the  British  Settlements  in  America,^ 
states  as  the  cause  of  Oglethorpe's  undertaking, 
what,  when  rightly  understood,  was  but  a  conse- 
quence of  it.  He  says,  "  A  rich  and  humane  citi- 
zen, at  his  death,  left  the  whole  of  his  estate  to  set 
at  liberty  such  insolvent  debtors  as  were  detained 
in  prison  by  their  creditors.  Prudential  reasons  of 
policy  concurred  in  the  performance  of  this  Will, 
dictated  by  humanity ;  and  the  Government  gave 
orders  that  such  unhappy  prisoners  as  were  released 
should  be  transported  into  Georgia.  The  Parlia- 
ment added  nine  thousand  eight  hundred  and  forty- 
three  pounds  fifteen  shillings,  to  the  estate  left  by 
the  Will  of  the  citizen.  A  voluntary  subscription 
produced  a  much  more  considerable  sum.  General 
Oglethorpe,  a  man  who  had  distinguished  himself 
by  his  taste  for  great  designs,  by  his  zeal  for  his 
country,  and  his  passion  for  glory,  was  fixed  upon 
to  direct  these  public  finances,  and  to  carry  into 
execution  so  excellent  a  project." 

Mr.  Warden,  adopted  this  account,  but  varied  a 
little  from  it ;  for  he  says,  "  It  happened  that  Ogle- 
thorpe was  named  executor  for  the  disposal  of  a 
legacy  left  by  a  wealthy  Englishman  for  the  deliv- 

'  Book  II.  Chap.  IV.  See  also  his  History  of  the  Settlements  and 
Trade  of  the  East  and  West  Indies,  by  Europeans,  Book  XVIII. 
Vol.  VII.  page  359,  of  the  English  translation.     Lond.     1787. 


GRAHAM'S  STATEMENT.  49 

erance  of  insolvent  debtors,  detained  in  prison ;  and 
this  donation,  with  others,  procured  from  generous 
individuals,  and  ten  thousand  pounds  sterling  ad- 
vanced by  the  government,  was  employed  for  the 
establishment  of  a  colony,  where  this  unfortunate 
class  of  men  might  find  an  asylum."  ^ 

Mr.  Graham  has  also  followed  this  statement, 
and  given  the  testator  the  credit  of  projecting  the 
release  of  prisoners  for  debt ;  a  project  which  origi- 
nated solely  with  Oglethorpe.^ 

I  have  sought  in  vain  for  early  vouchers  of  this 
statement,  and  feel  assured  that  the  project  did  not 
grow  out  of  a  bequest  either  of  a  "  whole  estate," 
or  a  "  legacy  "  of  any  amount,  left  by  "  a  rich  cit- 
izen," or  "  a  wealthy  subject "  of  Great  Britain. 
The  story,  like  most  others,  becoming  amplified  by 
repetition,  arose  from  the  fact  that  Edward  Adderly, 
Esq.  had  given,  in  his  Will,  the  sum  of  one  hundred 
pounds  in  aid  of  the  settlement  of  Georgia ;  but 
that  was  two  years  after  the  settlement  had  com- 
menced ;  and  it  was  not  to  Oglethorpe  individually 
to  manage,  but  to  the  Trustees  to  appropriate. 

Among  my  authorities  are  the  publications  of  the 
day,  when  facts  and  circumstances  are  mentioned 

'  Statistical,  Political,  and  Historical  Account  of  the  United  States 
of  America.     Vol.  II.  p.  471. 

*  History  of  America.     Vol.  III.  p.  180. 
7 


50      OGLETHORPE  THE  PROJECTOR  OF  GEORGIA. 

as  taking  place,  and  may,  therefore,  be  relied  on. 
I  dwell  on  them  more  particularly,  and  lay  on  them 
greater  stress,  because  all  the  early  narratives  speak 
of  Oglethorpe  as  the  projector  of  the  undertaking, 
the  leader  of  the  emigrants,  the  founder  of  the  col- 
ony. The  publisher  of  "  An  account  of  the  first 
planting  of  the  colony  of  Georgia,"  ^  speaking  of 
his  engagedness  in  this  noble  cause,  says,  "  This 
was  an  instance  of  generosity  and  public  spirit,  and 
an  enterprise  of  fatigue  as  well  as  of  danger,  which 
few  ages  or  nations  can  boast." 

Ambition  and  enterprise  were  strong  traits  in 
his  character ;  and  what  he  devised,  his  firmness  of 
constitution,  vigor  of  health,  force  of  principle,  and 
untiring  perseverance,  enabled  him  to  pursue  to  its 
accomplishment. 

^  Account  of  the  first  planting  of  the  colony  of  Georgia  ;  published 
from  the  records  of  the  Trustees ;  ly  Benjamin  Martin,  their  Secre- 
tary.   Lond.     1741.     p.  11. 


CHAPTER   IV. 

The  emigrants  embark  —  Arrive  at  Charlestown,  South  Carolina  — 
Oglethorpe  visits  Governor  Johnson  —  Proceeds  up  the  Savannah 
river  —  Place  of  settlement  fixed  upon  —  Town  laid  out  —  La- 
bors superintended,  and  assisted  by  Colonel  Bull  —  Treaty  with 
Tomo  Chichi  —  Progress  of  settlement  —  Oglethorpe  makes  [a 
visit  to  Governor  Johnson,  and  presents  himself  before  the  House 
of  Assembly,  and  makes  an  Address  of  grateful  acknowledgment 
of  favors  received  —  Returns  to  Savannah  —  Holds  a  treaty  with 
the  Lower  Creeks  —  Goes  to  head-quarters  on  the  Ogechee  — 
Fort  Argyle  built  —  Savannah  laid  out  in  wards,  and  Court  of 
Records  instituted. 

On  the  16th  of  November,  1732,  the  intended 
emigrants  embarked,  accompanied  by  the  Reverend 
Henry  Herbert,  D.  D.,  a  clergyman  of  the  Chm-ch 
of  England,  as  Chaplain,  and  Mr.  Amatis,  from 
Piedmont,  who  was  engaged  to  instruct  them  in 
raising  silk-worms,  and  the  art  of  winding  silk. 
The  following  "  account  of  their  setting  forth,"  is 
taken  from  a  contemporary  publication. 

"  The  Ann  galley,  of  about  two  hundred  tons,  is 
on  the  point  of  sailing  from  Depford,  for  the  new 


52  EMIGRANTS  EMBARK. 

Colony  of  Georgia,  with  thirty-five  families,  con- 
sisting of  carpenters,  brick-layers,  farmers,  &c., 
who  take  all  proper  instruments  for  their  employ- 
ment on  their  arrival.  The  men  are  learning  mili- 
tary discipline  of  the  guards  ;  and  are  furnished 
with  muskets,  bayonets,  and  swords,  to  defend  the 
colony  in  case  of  an  attack  from  the  Indians.  The 
vessel  has  on  board  ten  tons  of  Alderman  Parsons's 
best  beer,  and  will  take  in  at  Madeira  five  tons  of 
wine  for  the  service  of  the  colony.  Many  of  the 
Trustees  were  on  board  for  the  purpose  of  ascer- 
taining whether  they  were  suitably  accommodated 
and  provided  for ;  and  to  take  leave  of  the  worthy 
gentleman  of  their  own  body,  who  goes  with  them 
to  take  care  of  them,  and  to  direct  in  laying  out 
their  lands,  and  forming  a  town."  ^ 

In  pursuance  of  the  benevolent  design  of  the 
Trustees,  Oglethorpe  engaged  in  this  expedition 
entirely  at  his  own  expense  ;  furnished  his  own 
cabin-fare,  on  board  ;  and  was  constantly  attentive, 
during  the  whole  voyage,  to  the  situation  and  com- 
fort of  the  passengers. 

On  the  13th  of  January,  1733,  the  ship  dropt 
anchor  outside  of  the  bar,  at  the  port  of  Charlestown, 
South  Carolina.     Excepting  that  two  infii'm  child- 

^  Gentleman's  Magazine  for  1732,  p.  1029. 


ARRIVAL  AT  CHARLESTOWN.  53 

ren  died  on  the  passage,  all  that  went  on  board 
had  been  well,  and  arrived  in  good  health.^ 

Oglethorpe,  with  his  suite,  went  on  shore  to  wait 
on  the  Governor  of  the  Province,  his  Excellency 
Robert  Johnson.  He  was  received  in  the  kindest 
manner,  and  treated  by  him  and  the  Council  with 
every  mark  of  civility  and  respect.  Sensible  of  the 
great  advantage  that  must  accrue  to  Carolina  from 
this  new  colony,  the  Governor  afforded  all  the 
assistance  in  his  power  to  forward  the  settlement ; 
and  immediately  sent  an  order  to  Mr.  Middleton, 
the  king's  pilot,  to  conduct  the  ship  into  Port 
Royal,  and  to  furnish  small  craft  to  convey  the 
colonists  thence  to  the  river  Savannah. 

In  about  ten  hours  they  proceeded  with  this 
naval  escort.  On  the  18th  Mr.  Oglethorpe  went 
ashore  on  Tench's  Island,  where  he  left  eight  men, 
with  directions  to  prepare  huts  for  the  people  who 
would  disembark,  and  tarry  there  till  he  could 
make  farther  arrangements.  He  proceeded  thence 
to  Beaufort,  a  frontier  town  of  South  Carolina, 

'  The  following  details  are  taken  from  what  appears  to  be  infor- 
mation sent  to  the  Trustees  in  London,  and  by  them  published  in 
that  popular  Journal  entitled  "The  Political  State  of  Great  Britain," 
Vol.  XLVL  page  234,  collated  with  The  History  of  the  Rise, 
Progress,  and  Present  State  of  the  Colony  of  Georgia,  in  Harkis's 
Collection  of  Voyages,  IL  327. 


54  EMIGRANTS   GO   ON   SHORE. 

situated  on  Port  Royal  Island,  at  the  mouth  of  the 
CoosawatchJe  river,  having  an  excellent  harbor. 

Early  the  next  morning  he  went  ashore,  and 
was  saluted  by  a  discharge  of  the  artillery.  The 
Colonists,  arriving  on  the  20th,  were  cheerfully  re- 
ceived and  assisted  by  Lieutenant  Watts,  Ensign 
Farrington,  and  other  officers  of  the  King's  Inde- 
pendent Company  on  that  station  ;  and  were  wait- 
ed upon  and  welcomed  by  Mr.  Delabarr  and  gen- 
tlemen of  the  neighborhood.^ 

While  the  sea- worn  emigrants  rested  and  re- 
freshed themselves,  the  indefatigable  Oglethorpe, 
accompanied  by  Colonel  William  Bull,  a  man  of 
knowledge  and  experience,  went  up  the  river  to 
explore  the  country.  Having  found  a  pleasant 
spot  of  ground  near  to  Yamacraw,  they  fixed  upon 
the  place  as  the  most  convenient  and  healthy  situa- 
tion for  the  settlers,  and  there  marked  out  a  town, 
which,  from  the  Indian  name  of  the  river  that  ran 
past  it,  they  called  Savannah. 

On  the  24th  he  returned,  and  with  the  emi- 
grants celebrated  the  following  Sunday  as  a  day 
of  Thanksgiving  for  their  safe  arrival.     A  sermon 

*  ^^  Brief  Account  of  the  Progress  of  the  First  Colony  sent  to  Geor- 
gia,^''—  inserted  in  the  46th  volume,  p.  234,  of  the  "Political 
State  of  Great  Britain  ;"  and  it  makes  the  second  Tract  in  Force's 
Collection. 


PLACE  OF  SETTLEMENT.  55 

was  preached  by  the  Reverend  Mr.  Jones/  by  ex- 
change of  services  with  Doctor  Herbert,  who  offi- 
ciated at  Beaufort.  There  was  a  great  resort  of 
gentlemen  and  their  families,  from  the  neighbor- 
hood, to  welcome  the  new-comers,  and  unite  with 
them  in  the  gladness  of  the  occasion. 

On  the  31st  they  arrived  at  the  place  selected 
for  their  settlement,  the  description  of  which  by 
Oglethorpe  himself,  in  a  letter  to  the  Trustees, 
dated  the  10th  of  February,  1733,  cannot  fail  to 
give  both  interesting  information  and  much  plea- 
sure to  the  reader. 

After  referring  to  a  former  letter,  and  giving  a 
brief  notice  of  their  arrival  at  Beaufort,  and  his 
selection  of  a  site,  a  few  miles  higher  up  the  river, 
for  laying  out  a  town,  he  adds,  "  The  river  here 
forms  a  half-moon,  along  side  of  which  the  banks 
are  about  forty  feet  high,  and  on  the  top  is  a  flat, 
which  they  call  '  a  bluff.'  The  plain  high  ground 
extends  into  the  country  about  five  or  six  miles ; 
and,  along  the  river  side,  about  a  mile.  Ships  that 
draw  twelve  feet  of  water  can  ride  within  ten 
yards  of  the  bank.  Upon  the  river  side,  in  the 
centre  of  this  plain,  I  have  laid  out  the  town,  oppo- 

*  Rev.  Lewis  Jones.  See  some  account  of  him  in  Dalcho's 
History  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  South  Carolina,  p. 
378. 


^Q  OGLETHORPE'S  LETTER. 

site  to  which  is  an  Island  of  very  rich  pasturage, 
which  I  think  should  be  kept  for  the  cattle  of  the 
Trustees.  The  river  is  pretty  wide,  the  water 
fresh,  and  from  the  key  of  the  town  you  see  its 
whole  course  to  the  sea,  with  the  island  of  Tybee, 
which  is  at  its  mouth.  For  about  six  miles  up  into 
the  country,  the  landscape  is  very  agreeable,  the 
stream  being  wide,  and  bordered  with  high  w^oods 
on  both  sides. 

"  The  whole  people  arrived  here  on  the  first  of 
February.  At  night  their  tents  were  got  up.  Until 
the  tenth  they  were  taken  up  with  unloading  and 
making  a  crane,  which  1  then  could  not  finish,  and 
so  took  off  the  hands,  and  set  some  to  the  fortifica- 
tion, and  began  to  fell  the  woods. 

"  I  have  marked  out  the  town  and  common ;  half 
of  the  former  is  already  cleared  ;  and  the  first  house 
was  begun  yesterday  in  the  afternoon. 

"  I  have  taken  ten  of  the  Independent  Company 
to  work  for  us,  for  which  I  make  them  an  allowance. 

"  I  send  you  a  copy  of  the  resolution  of  the 
Assembly  of  Carolina,  and  the  Governor  and  Coun- 
cil's letter  to  me.^ 

"  Mr.  Whi taker  has  given  us  one  hundred  head 
of  cattle.    Colonel  Bull,  Mr.  Barlow,  Mr.  St.  Julian, 

'  Appendix,  No.  X. 


TOMO   CHICHI.  57 

and  Mr.  Woodward  are  come  up  to  assist  us,  with 
some  of  their  servants. 

"  I  am  so  taken  up  in  looking  after  a  hundred 
necessary  things,  that  I  write  now  short,  but  shall 
give  you  a  more  particular  account  hereafter. 

"  A  little  Indian  nation,  the  only  one  within  fifty 
miles,  is  not  only  in  amity,  but  desirous  to  be  sub- 
jects to  his  Majesty  King  George,  to  have  lands 
given  them  among  us.  Their  chief,  and  his  beloved 
man,  who  is  the  second  in  the  nation,  desire  to  be 
instructed  in  the  Christian  religion."  * 

Realizing  how  important  it  was  to  obtain  the 
consent  of  the  natural  proprietors  of  the  region,  to 
the  settlement  of  his  colony  here,  and  how  desirable 
to  be  on  good  terms  with  those  in  the  vicinity,  he 
sought  for  an  interview  with  Tomo  Chichi,  the 
Mico,  or  chief  of  a  small  tribe  who  resided  at  a 
place  called  Yamacraw,  three  miles  up  the  river. 
Most  fortunately  and  opportunely,  he  met  with  an 
Indian  woman  who  had  married  a  Carolinian  trader 
by  the  name  of  Musgrove  ;  and  who  understood 
and  could   speak   the  English  language  ;    and  he 

*  "  The  beloved  man  is  a  person  of  much  consequence.  He  main-, 
tains  and  exercises  great  influence  in  the  state,  particularly  in  mili- 
tary aflfairs,  their  Senate,  or  Council,  never  determining  an  expe- 
dition or  treaty  without  his  consent  and  assistance."  Boudinot, 
Star  in  the  East,  p.  202. 
8 


58  LETTER   FROM   OGLETHORPE. 

availed  himself  of  her  assistance  as  an  interpreter.' 
The  conference  ended  in  a  compact  and  treaty, 
favorable  to  the  new  comers.  From  this  venerable 
chieftain  he  afterwards  learned,  that,  besides  that 
immediate  district,  the  territory  was  claimed  and 
partly  occupied  by  the  tribes  of  the  upper  and  lower 
Creeks,  whose  formidable  power,  no  less  than  their 
distinct  pretensions,  rendered  it  important  that  their 
consent  should  also  be  obtained.  Accordingly,  to 
gain  their  favor  and  sanction,  he  engaged  Tomo 
Chichi  to  despatch  an  invitation  to  their  chiefs,  to 
hold  a  conference  with  him  at  Savannah. 

A  letter  from  Oglethorpe,  dated  Savannah  March 
12th,  1732-3,  gives  the  following  additional  infor- 
mation. 

"  This  Province  is  much  larger  than  we  thought, 
being  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  from  this  river 
to  the  Alatamaha.  This  river  has  a  very  long 
course,  and  a  great  trade  is  carried  on  by  it  to  the 

*  Oglethorpe  afterwards  allowed  her  an  annual  stipend  for  her 
services,  finding  that  she  had  great  influence  with  the  Indians. — 
Some  years  afterwards  she  married  the  Reverend  Mr.  Bosomworth  ; 
and  then  she  put  on  airs,  and  united  with  him  in  a  vexatious  claim 
/or  a  large  tract  of  land.  .See  McCall,  Vol.  L  p.  213.  Bosomworth 
had  been  a  Chaplain  in  the  Regiment  of  the  General ;  had  re- 
ceived many  favors  from  him  personally  ;  and  a  salary  from  the 
Society  for  propagating  the  Gospel  m  Foreign  parts. 


OGLETHORPE'S   LETTER.  59 

Indians,  there  having  above  twelve  trading  boats 
passed  since  I  have  been  here. 

There  are  in  Georgia,  on  this  side  the  mountains, 
three  considerable  nations  of  Indians ;  one  called 
the  Lower  Creeks,  consisting  of  nine  towns,  or 
rather  cantons,  making  about  one  thousand  men 
able  to  bear  arms.  One  of  these  is  within  a  short 
distance  from  us,  and  has  concluded  a  peace  with 
us,  giving  up  their  right  to  all  this  part  of  the  coun- 
try ;  and  I  have  marked  out  the  lands  which  they 
have  reserved  to  themselves.  The  King  comes  con- 
stantly to  church,  and  is  desirous  to  be  instructed 
in  the  Christian  religion  ;  and  has  given  me  his 
nephew,  a  boy,  who  is  his  next  heir,  to  educate. 

The  two  other  nations  are  the  Uchees  and  the 
Upper  Creeks ;  the  first  consisting  of  two  hundred, 
the  latter  of  eleven  hundred  men.  We  agree  so 
well  with  the  Indians,  that  the  Creeks  and  Uchees 
have  referred  to  me  a  difference  to  determine,  which 
otherwise  would  have  occasioned  a  war. 

Our  people  still  lie  in  tents,  there  being  only 
two  clapboard  houses  built,  and  three  sawed  houses 
framed.  Our  crane,  our  battery  of  cannon,  and 
magazine  are  finished.  This  is  all  that  we  have 
been  able  to  do,  by  reason  of  the  smallness  of  our 
number,  of  which  many  have  been  sick,  and  others 
'  unused  to  labor  ;  though,  I  thank  God,  they  are 


60    EXTRACT  FROM  S.  CAROLINA  GAZETTE. 

now  pretty  well,  and  we  have  not  lost  one  since 
our  arrival  here."  ^ 

The  following  extract  from  a  letter  dated  Charles- 
town,  22d  March,  1732-3,  and  printed  in  the  South 
Carolina  Gazette,  describes,  in  honorable  terms,  the 
attention  which  the  leader  of  this  enterprise  devoted 
to  its  furtherance.^ 

"  Mr.  Oglethorpe  is  indefatigable,  and  takes  a 
great  deal  of  pains.  His  fare  is  but  indifferent, 
having  little  else  at  present  but  salt  provisions.  He 
is  extremely  well  beloved  by  all  the  people.  The 
general  title  they  give  him  is  Father.  If  any  of 
them  are  sick,  he  immediately  visits  them,  and  takes 
a  great  deal  of  care  of  them.  If  any  difference 
arises,  he  is  the  person  that  decides  it.  Two  hap- 
pened while  I  was  there,  and  in  my  presence ;  and 
all  the  parties  went  away,  to  outward  appearance, 
satisfied  and  contented  with  his  determination.  He 
keeps  a  strict  discipline.  I  never  saw  one  of  his 
people  drunk,  nor  heard  one  of  them  swear,  all  the 
time  1  was  there.     He  does  not  allow  them  rum  ; 


'  Political  Taste  of  Great  Britain,  Vol.  XLV.  p.  445. 

*  See  also  "  Account  showing  the  progress  of  the  Colony  of  Georgia 
from  its  first  Establishment."  Lond.  1741,  The  Appendix,  No.  2 
contains  the  Letter,  with  this  notice  —  "  Written  by  a  Gentleman 
of  Charlestown,  who,  with  some  others,  went  thither,  [i.  e.  to 
Savannah]  out  of  curiosity." 


COL.  BULL  ASSISTS.  g| 

but  in  lieu  gives  them  English  beer.  It  is  sur- 
prizing to  see  how  cheerful  the  men  go  to  work, 
considering  they  have  not  been  bred  to  it.  There 
are  no  idlers  there.  Even  the  boys  and  girls  do 
their  part.  There  are  four  houses  already  up,  but 
none  finished  ;  and  he  hopes,  when  he  has  got  more 
sawyers,  which  I  suppose  he  will  have  in  a  short 
time,  to  finish  two  houses  a  week.  He  has 
ploughed  up  some  land  ;  part  of  which  he  has 
sowed  with  wheat,  which  has  come  up,  and  looks 
promising.  He  has  two  or  three  gardens,  which 
he  has  sowed  with  divers  sorts  of  seed,  and  planted 
thyme,  sage,  pot-herbs,  leeks,  skellions,  celery, 
liquorice,  &c.,  and  several  trees.  He  was  pali- 
sading the  town  and  inclosing  some  part  of  the 
common  ;  which  I  suppose  may  be  finished  in  about 
a  fortnight's  time.  In  short,  he  has  done  a  vast 
deal  of  work  for  the  time  ;  and  I  think  his  name 
justly  deserves  to  be  immortalized." 

"  Colonel  Bull,  who  had  been  sent  by  Governor 
Johnson  to  assist  in  laying  out  the  town,  and  to 
describe  to  the  people  the  manner  of  felling  the 
trees,  and  of  clearing,  breaking  up,  and  cultivating 
the  ground,  was  a  very  efficient  helper.  He  brought 
with  him  four  of  his  negroes,  who  were  sawyers,  to 
help  the  workmen ;  and  also  provisions  for  them  ; 
being  resolved  not  to  put  the  Trustees  to  any  ex- 


62  GARDEN  LAID  OUT. 

pense  ;  but  to  bestow  his  aid  in  the  most  free  and 
useful  manner.  Others  from  CaroHna,  also,  sent 
laborers,  who,  being  accustomed  to  preparing  a 
plantation  for  settlement,  were  very  expert,  and  of 
essential  service." 

Thus  generously  assisted,  the  new  settlers  were 
enabled  to  cut  down  a  great  number  of  trees ;  ^  to 
clear  the  land,  to  construct  comfortable  houses,^  to 
make  enclosures  of  yards  and  gardens,  to  build  a 
guard-house  and  fortification,  and  to  effect  other 
means  of  accommodation  and  defence. 

A  public  garden  was  laid  out,  which  was  designed 
as  a  nursery,  in  order  to  supply  the  people  with 
white  mulberry  trees,  vines,  oranges,  olives,  and 
various  necessary  plants,  for  their  several  planta- 
tions ;  and  a  gardener  was  appointed  for  the  care 
of  it,  to  be  paid  by  the  Trustees. 

Things  being  put  in  a  good  train,  and  the  proper 
station  and  employment  of  every  man  assigned  him, 
Oglethorpe  went  to  Charlestown  on  a  visit  to  Go- 
vernor Johnson  and  the  Council.     His  object  was 


*  Four  beautiful  pine-trees  were  left  upon  the  plain,  under  which 
General  Oglethorpe  encamped. 

*  These  were  all  of  the  same  size  ;  22  by  16  feet.  The  town-lots 
consisted  of  one  quarter  of  an  acre  ;  but  they  had  other  lots,  at  a 
small  distance  out  of  town,  consisting  of  five  acres,  designed  for 
plantations. 


OGLETHORPE'S  ADDRESS.  g3 

to  make  a  more  intimate  acquaintance  with  them, 
gratefully  to  acknowledge  the  succors  for  the  new 
comers  which  had  been  so  generously  bestowed ; 
and  to  consult  measures  for  their  mutual  inter- 
course. 

On  Saturday,  June  9th,  presenting  himself  before 
the  Governor  and  House  of  Assembly,  he  thus  ad- 
dressed them. 

"  I  should  think  myself  very  much  wanting  in 
justice  and  gratitude,  if  I  should  neglect  thanking 
your  Excellency,  you  gentlemen  of  the  Council, 
and  you  gentlemen  of  the  Assembly,  for  the  assist- 
ance which  you  have  given  to  the  Colony  of  Geor- 
gia. .  I  have  long  wished  for  an  opportunity  of 
expressing  my  sense  of  the  universal  zeal  which 
the  inhabitants  of  this  province  have  shewn  for 
assisting  that  colony  ;  and  could  not  think  of  any 
better  opportunity  than  now,  when  the  whole  pro- 
vince is  virtually  present  in  its  General  Assembly. 
I  am,  therefore,  gentlemen,  to  thank  you  for  the 
handsome  assistance  given  by  private  persons,  as 
well  as  by  the  public.  I  am  to  thank  you,  not  only 
in  the  name  of  the  Trustees,  and  the  little  colony 
now  in  Georgia,  but  in  behalf  of  all  the  distressed 
people  of  Britain  and  persecuted  Protestants  of 
Europe,  to  whom  a  place  of  refuge  will  be  secured 
by  this  first  attempt. 


64  OGLETHORPE'S  ADDRESS. 

"  Your  charitable  and  generous  proceeding,  be- 
sides the  self-satisfaction  which  ahvajs  attends  such 
actions,  will  be  of  the  greatest  advantage  to  this  pro- 
vince. You,  gentlemen,  are  the  best  judges  of  this  ; 
since  most  of  you  have  been  personal  witnesses  of  the 
dangerous  blows  which  this  country  has  escaped 
from  French,  Spanish,  and  Indian  arms.  Many  of 
you  know  this  by  experience,  having  signalized  your- 
selves personally,  either  when  this  province  by  its 
own  strength,  and  unassisted  by  any  thing  but  the 
courage  of  its  inhabitants  and  the  providence  of 
God,  repulsed  the  formidable  invasions  of  the 
French ;  or  when  it  defeated  the  whole  body  of  the 
southern  Indians,  who  were  armed  against  it,  and 
was  invaded  by  the  Spaniards,  who  assisted  them. 
You,  gentlemen,  know  that  there  was  a  time  when 
every  day  brought  fresh  advices  of  murders,  rava- 
ges, and  burnings  ;  when  no  profession  or  calling 
was  exempted  from  arms ;  when  every  inhabitant 
of  the  province  was  obliged  to  leave  wife,  family, 
and  useful  occupations,  and  undergo  the  fatigues  of 
war,  for  the  necessary  defence  of  the  country ;  and 
all  their  endeavors  scarcely  sufficient  to  guard  the 
western  and  southern  frontiers  against  the  Indians. 

"  It  would  be  needless  for  me  to  tell  you,  who 
are  much  better  judges,  how  the  increasing  settle- 
ment of  a  new  colony  upon  the  southern  frontiers, 


OGLETHORPE'S   SPEECH.  g5 

will  prevent  the  like  danger  for  the  future.  Nor 
need  I  tell  you  how  every  plantation  will  increase 
in  value,  by  the  safety  of  the  Province  being  in- 
creased ;  since  the  lands  to  the  southward  already 
sell  for  above  double  what  they  did  before  the  new 
Colony  arrived.  Nor  need  I  mention  the  great  les- 
sening of  the  burden  of  the  people  by  increasing 
the  income  of  the  tax  from  the  many  thousand 
acres  of  land  either  taken  or  taking  up  on  the  pros- 
pect of  future  security. 

"  The  assistance  which  the  Assembly  have  given, 
though  not  quite  equal  to  the  occasion,  is  very  large 
with  respect  to  the  present  circumstances  of  the 
Province ;  and,  as  such,  shows  you  to  be  kind 
benefactors  to  your  new-come  countrymen,  whose 
settlements  you  support ;  and  dutiful  subjects  to 
his  Majesty,  whose  revenues  and  dominions  you  by 
this  means  increase  and  strengthen. 

"  As  I  shall  soon  return  to  Europe,  I  must  recom- 
mend the  infant  Colony  to  your  further  protection ; 
being  assured,  both  from  your  generosity  and  wis- 
dom, that  you  will,  in  case  of  any  danger  or  neces- 
sity, give  it  the  utmost  support  and  assistance." 

To  the  insertion  of  this  speech  in  the  Political 
State  of  Great  Britain,  October,  1733,  page  361,  it 
is  added,  "  On  the  Sunday  evening  following  he 
set  out  again  for  Georgia  ;  so  that  we  may  perceive 


66      GOVERNOR  PENN'S  BENEFACTION. 

that  there  is  no  endeavor  wanting  in  him  to  estab- 
lish and  make  that  settlement  a  flourishing  colony  ; 
but  his  conduct  in  this  whole  affair  is  by  much  the 
more  extraordinary,  and  the  more  to  be  applauded, 
because,  by  the  nature  of  the  settlement,  he  cannot 
so  much  as  expect  any  private  or  particular  benefit ; 
he  cannot  possibly  have  any  other  reward  but  that 
which  is  the  certain,  the  eternal  reward  of  good 
actions,  a  consciousness  of  having  done  a  service 
to  his  country,  and  to  mankind." 

Favored  by  their  industry,  and  the  smiles  of  a 
propitious  providence  in  that  delightful  region,  "the 
wilderness  and  the  solitary  place  was  glad  for 
them  ;  and  the  desert  rejoiced  and  blossomed  as 
a  rose."  ^  "  They  planted  vineyards,  and  made 
themselves  gardens,  and  set  out  in  them  trees  of  all 
kinds  of  fruits."  ^ 

In  aid  and  encouragement  of  the  settlement,  the 
Trustees  received  a  letter  from  Thomas  Penn, 
Proprietor  of  Pennsylvania,  dated  Philadelphia, 
March  6th,  1732-3,  approving  very  highly  of  the 
undertaking,  promising  to  contribute  all  the  assist- 
ance in  his  power,  and  acquainting  them  that  he 
had  for  himself  subscribed  one  hundred  pounds  ster- 
ling, and  that  he  was  collecting  what  sums  of 
money  he  could  get  from  others,  to  be  sent  them, 

'  Isaiah,  xxxv.  ].  *  EccJesiastes,  ii.  3. 


DEPUTATION  OF  CREEKS.  ^7 

in  order  to  be  employed  for  the  purposes  of  their 
charter.' 

It  has  been  ah'eady  observed  that  "  Oglethorpe 
endeavored  very  early  to  secure  the  favor  of  the 
Indians,  who,  by  ranging  through  the  woods,  would 
be  capable  of  giving  constant  intelligence  to  pre- 
vent any  surprise  upon  the  people,  and  would  be  a 
good  out-guard  for  the  inland  parts  of  the  Colony  ; 
as  also  to  obtain  of  them  grants  of  territory,  and 
privilege  of  undisturbed  occupancy  and  improve- 
ment."^ He  was  pleased,  therefore,  on  his  return 
from  Charlestown,  to  find  the  chiefs  of  the  Lower 
Creeks  in  waiting  ;  the  purpose  of  whose  visit,  as 
made  known  by  Mr.  Wiggan  ^  and  Mr.  John  Mus- 
grove,  who  acted  as  interpreters,  was  to  treat  on  an 
alliance  with  the  Colony. 

These  Creeks  consisted  of  eight  tribes,  united  in 
a  kind  of  political  confederacy ;  all  speaking  the 
same  language,  but  being  under  separate  jurisdic- 
tions.    Their  deputation  was  composed  of  their 

^  Political  State  of  Great  Britain,  for  June,  1733,  Vol,  XLV.  p. 
543. 

'  Account,  slwioing  the  Progress  of  the  Colony  of  Georgia,  from 
its  first  Establishment.     Lond.  1741.  p.  13. 

^  William  Wiggan,  who  accompanied  Sir  Alexander  Cuming 
in  the  beginning  of  the  year  1731,  on  his  journey  to  the  Cherokees, 
is,  in  the  narrative  of  that  expedition,  called  not  merely  "  the  inter- 
preter," but  "the  complete  linguist." 


68        RECEPTION  OF  THE  CREEKS. 

micoes,  or  chiefs,  and  leading  warriors,  about  fifty 
in  number.' 

The  General  received  them  with  courtesy,  and 
then  invited  them  to  "  a  talk,"  in  one  of  the  new 
houses.  He  informed  them  that  the  English,  by 
coming  to  settle  there,  did  not  pretend  to  dispos- 
sess, nor  think  to  annoy  the  natives  ;  but  above  all 
things  desired  to  live  on  good  terms  with  them, 
and  hoped,  through  their  representatives,  now  pre- 
sent, to  obtain  from  them  a  cession  of  that  part  of 
the  region  on  which  he  had  entered,  and  to  form 
and  confirm  a  treaty  of  friendship  and  trade. 

When  he  had  explained  his  views  with  respect 
to  the  settlers,  and  their  designs  in  making  the 
location,  Ouechachumpa,  a  very  tall  old  man,  in 
the  name  of  the  rest,  informed  the  British  adven- 
turers what  was  the  extent  of  the  country  claimed 
by  their  tribes.  He  acknowledged  the  superiority 
of  the  white  men  to  the  red  ;  and  said  that  he  was 
persuaded  that  the  Great  Spirit  who  dwelt  above 
and  all  around,  (whose  immensity  he  endeavored 

^  Besides  a  king,  every  Indian  town  has  a  head  warrior,  who  is 
in  great  esteem  among  tliem,  and  whose  authority  seems  to  be 
greater  than  their  kings;  because  the  king  is  looked  upon  as  little 
else  than  a  civil  magistrate,  except  it  so  happens  that  he  is  at  the 
same  time  a  head  warrior."  Narrative  of  a  Journey  among  the 
Indians  in  the  Northwest  parts  of  South  Carolina,  1731,  by  Sir  Alex- 
ander Cuming.     See,  also,  Appendix,  No.  XII. 


SPEECH  OF  OUECHACHUMPA.  gg 

to  express  by  throwing  abroad  his  hands,  and  pro- 
longing his  articulations  as  he  spoke,)  had  sent  the 
English  thither  for  the  good  of  the  natives  ;  and, 
therefore,  they  were  welcome  to  all  the  land  which 
the  Creeks  did  not  use  themselves.  He  confirmed 
his  speech  by  laying  before  Oglethorpe  eight  buck- 
skins, one  for  each  of  the  Creeks  ;  the  best  things, 
he  said,  that  they  had  to  bestow.  He  thanked 
them  for  their  kindness  to  Tomo  Chichi,  who,  it 
seems,  had  been  banished  with  some  of  his  adher- 
ents, from  his  own  nation ;  but  for  his  valor  and 
wisdom  had  been  chosen  mico  by  the  Yamacraws, 
an  emigrating  branch  of  the  same  stock. 

The  declarations  of  the  speaker  were  confirmed 
by  short  speeches  of  the  others  ;  whenTomo  Chichi, 
attended  by  some  of  his  friends,  came  in,  and, 
making  a  low  obeisance,  said,  "  When  these  white 
men  came,  I  feared  that  they  would  drive  us  away, 
for  we  were  weak ;  but  they  promised  not  to  mo- 
lest us.  We  wanted  corn  and  other  things,  and 
they  have  given  us  supplies ;  and  now,  of  our 
small  means,  we  make  them  presents  in  return. 
Here  is  a  buffalo  skin,  adorned  with  the  head  and 
feathers  of  an  eagle.  The  eagle  signifies  speed, 
and  the  buffalo  strength.  The  English  are  swift 
as  the  eagle,  and  strong  as  the  buffalo.  Like  the 
eagle  they  flew  hither  over  great  waters  ;  and  like 


70  ALLIANCE  MADE. 

the  buffalo  nothing  can  withstand  them.  But  the 
feathers  of  the  eagle  are  soft,  and  signify  kindness; 
and  the  skin  of  the  buffalo  is  covering,  and  signifies 
protection.  Let  these,  then,  remind  them  to  be 
kind,  and  protect  us." 

The  alliance  was  soon  made.  The  treaty  con- 
tained stipulations  on  the  part  of  the  English,  con- 
cerning trade ;  reparation  of  injuries,  should  any 
be  committed ;  and  punishment  for  impositions, 
should  any  be  practised  upon  them ;  and,  on  the 
part  of  the  Indians,  a  free  and  formal  cession  of 
that  part  of  the  region  which  was  not  used  by  the 
Yamacraws,  nor  wanted  by  the  Creeks.  By  this 
cession  they  made  a  grant  to  the  Trustees  of  the 
lands  upon  Savannah  river  as  far  as  the  river  Oge- 
chee,  and  all  the  lands  along  the  sea-coast  be- 
tween Savannah  and  Alatamaha  rivers,  extending 
west  as  high  as  the  tide  flows,  and  including  all  the 
islands ;  the  Indians  reserving  to  themselves  the 
islands  of  Ossabaw,  Sapeloe,  and  St.  Catherines, 
for  the  purposes  of  hunting,  bathing  and  fishing  ; 
as  also  the  tract  of  land  lying  between  Pipe-maker's 
bluff  and  Pallachucola  creek,  above  Yamacravi^  bluff, 
which  they  retained  as  an  encampment  when  they 
should  come  to  visit  their  beloved  friends  in  that 
vicinity.  This  special  reservation  of  some  islands 
had  been  made  by  them  in  their  treaty  with 
Governor  Nicholson,  in  1722. 


OGLETHORPE'S  PRESENTS.  7I 

Oglethorpe  then  presented  to  each  of  the  eight 
chiefs  a  laced  coat  and  hat,  and  a  shirt ;  to  each  of 
the  eight  war-captains,  a  gun,  with  powder,  flint, 
bullets  and  shot ;  to  the  beloved  men  a  duffle  mantle 
of  coarse  cloth  ;  —  and  distributed  some  smaller 
presents  among  their  attendants.  Upon  this  they 
took  their  leave  of  him,  highly  satisfied  with  the 
treatment  which  they  had  met.^ 

Having  taken  much  pains  to  become  acquainted 
with  the  character  of  the  natives,  he  furnished  a 
very  intelligent  traveller,  by  whom  he  was  visited, 
with  an  interesting  account  of  their  manners  and 
customs  ;  who  annexed  it  to  the  published  volume 
of  his  travels.^ 


'  This  Treaty  was  sent  to  England,  and  was  confirmed  by  the 
Trustees  on  the  18th  of  October,  1733.  For  a  copy  of  it,  see 
McCall,  History  of  Georgia,  Appendix  to  Vol.  I.  p.  357. 

The  History  of  Georgia,  by  Major  McCall  has  great  merit.  It 
was  written  by  the  worthy  author  under  circumstances  of  bodily 
suffering,  submitted  to,  indeed  with  meekness,  borne  with  heroic 
fortitude,  and  endured  with  unfailing  patience.  It  is  wonderful 
that  he  succeeded  so  well  in  the  accomplishment  of  his  work,  con- 
sidering the  scanty  materials  which  he  could  procure ;  for  he  says, 
that,  "  without  map  or  compass,  he  entered  an  unexplored  forest, 
destitute  of  any  other  guide  than  a  few  ragged  pamphlets,  defaced 
newspapers,  and  scraps  of  manuscripts." 

*  As  this  is  an  extremely  rare  book,  I  give  the  title  from  a  copy 
in  the  library  of  Harvard  College.  "  A  new  voyage  to  Georgia,  by  a 
young  gentleman  :  giving  an  account  of  his  travels  in  South  Carolina, 


72  FORT   ARGYLE. 

On  the  18th  of  June  he  went  to  the  Horse- 
quarter,  which  lies  six  miles  up  the  river  Ogechee, 
and  there  took  with  him  Captain  McPherson,  with 
a  detachment  of  his  rangers,  on  an  excursion  into 
the  interior.  After  a  march  of  forty  miles  west- 
ward, he  chose  a  post,  commanding  the  passages 
by  which  the  Indians  used  to  invade  Carolina  in 
the  late  wars.  Here,  upon  an  eminence  which 
commands  all  the  country  round,  he  directed  that 
a  fortification  should  be  built,  to  be  called  "  Fort 
Argyle,"  in  memory  of  his  honored  patron  John 

and  part  of  North  Carolina.  To  which  is  added  a  curious  account  of 
the  Indians  by  an  Honorable  Person  ;  and  a  Poem  to  James  Ogle- 
thorpe, Esq.,  on  his  arrival  from  Georgia.''^  London,  1735.  12rao. 
The  author  of  the  "  History  of  Georgia"  contained  in  the  40th 
volume  of  the  "  Universal  History"  page  456,  quotes  passages  from 
this  "  Account  of  the  Indians,"  and  ascribes  it  to  Oglethorpe.  — 
Mr.  Salmon  in  the  3d  vol.  of  his  Modern  Histoi-y,  p.  602,  giving 
an  account  of  the  present  state  of  Georgia,  introduces  a  quotation 
from  what  he  calls  "  Mr.  Oglethorpe's  account  of  the  religion  and 
government  of  the  Creeks,"  in  the  following  words  :  "  Mr.  Ogle- 
thorpe, speaking  of  the  religion  and  government  of  the  Creek  na- 
tion, in  '  a  letter  from  Georgia  to  a  person  of  honor  in  London,' 
says  '  There  seems  to  be  a  way  opened  to  our  Colony  towards  ihe 
conversion  of  the  Indians,'  &c.  This  is  decisive  in  fixing  the 
author ;  for  Mr.  Salmon  knew  the  General  personally;  and,  on  pub- 
lishing another  edition  of  his  elaborate  work,  obtained  from  him,  a 
very  interesting  "  Continuation  of  the  present  state  of  Georgia." 
The  Letter  is  copied  into  the  Gentleman's  Magazine,  Vol.  III.  p.  108 
and  483.     See  also  Appendix,  No.  XIII. 


SAVANNAH  LAID  OUT.  73 

Duke  of  Argyle.*  It  is  on  the  west  bank  of  the 
Ogechee  river.  Its  design  was  to  protect  the 
settlers  from  invasions  by  the  Spaniards.  Captain 
McPherson  and  his  troop  were  to  be  quartered 
there,  and  ten  families  from  Savannah  to  be  re- 
moved, as  cultivators,  to  its  immediate  vicinity. 

On  the  7th  of  July,  at  day  break,  the  inhabitants 
of  Savannah  were  assembled  on  the  strand  for  the 
purpose  of  designating  the  wards  of  the  town,  and 
assigning  the  lots.  In  a  devotional  service,  they 
united  in  thanksgiving  to  God,  that  the  lines  had 
fallen  to  them  in  a  pleasant  place,  and  that  they 
were  about  to  have  a  goodly  heritage.  The  wards 
and  tithings  were  then  named  ;  each  ward  consist- 
ing of  four  tithings,  and  each  tithing  of  ten  houses  ; 
and  a  house  lot  was  given  to  each  freeholder. 
There  being  in  Derby  ward  but  twenty  one  houses 
built ;  and  the  other  nineteen  having  no  house  erect- 
ed on  them,  Mr.  Milledge  and  Mr.  Goddard,  the 
two  chief  carpenters,  offered,  in  the  name  of  them- 
selves and  seventeen  of  their  helpers,  to  take  the 
unbuilt  on  lots,  and  give  the  built  ones  to  those 
who  were  less  able  to  help  themselves. 

The  people  then  partook  of  a  plentifid  dinner, 
which  their  generous  Governor  had  provided.^ 

*  See  Appendix,  No.  XIV. 

*  An  account  of  this  transaction  in  the  South  Carolina  Gazette, 

10 


74  COURT  ESTABLISHED. 

In  the  afternoon  the  grant  of  a  Court  of  Record 
was  read,  and  the  officers  were  appointed.  The 
session  of  the  magistrates  was  then  held,  a  jury 
impanneled,  and  a  case  tried. 

These  were  necessary  regulations  for  establish- 
ing a  due  regard  to  order,  discipline,  and  govern- 
ment. And  jet,  with  all  the  influence  which  their 
honored  leader  could  give  to  sanction  the  measures 
and  support  the  authority,  there  was  much  to  be 
done  to  render  the  administration  effective.  The 
settlers  had  no  common  bond  of  attachment  or  ac- 
cordance ;  of  course,  it  was  very  difficult  to  dispose 
them  to  the  reciprocal  offices  of  a  social  state,  much 
more  so  to  the  still  higher  obligations  of  a  civil 
compact.  Together  with  these  aims  of  those  who 
were  put  into  places  of  authority,  they  were  obliged 
daily  to  use  their  endeavors  to  bring  the  restive  and 
quarrelsome  into  proper  subordination  ;  to  keep  the 
sluggish  and  lazy  diligently  employed,  and  to  teach 
the  thriftless  to  be  economical  and  prudent. 

"  Tantse  molis  erat  disjunctis  condere  Gentem  !  " 

under  the  date  of  August  8th,  closes  with  this  remark  ;  "  Some  of 
the  people  having  privately  drunk  too  freely  of  rum,  are  dead ;  and 
that  liquor,  which  was  always  discountenanced  there,  is  now  abso- 
lutely prohibited." 


CHAPTER  V. 

• 

Oglethorpe  intended  to  visit  Boston,  in  New  England  —  Governor 
Belcher's  Letter  to  him  —  Provincial  Assemhly  appoint  a  Com- 
mittee to  receive  him  —  Sets  out  on  an  exploratory  Excursion  — 
Names  an  Island,  Jekyl  —  Visits  Fort  Argyle  —  Returns  to  Sa- 
vannah —  Saltzburgh  emigrants,  conducted  by  Baron  Von  Reck, 
come  to  settle  in  Georgia  —  Oglethorpe  assists  them  in  selecting 
a  place  —  They  call  it  Ebenezer  —  He  then  goes  up  the  river  to 
Palacholas  —  Returns  —  Goes  to  Charlestown,  with  Tomo  Chichi 
and  other  Indians,  in  order  to  take  passage  to  England. 

Oglethorpe  intended  to  have  made  the  tour  of 
the  Colonies  ;  particularly  to  have  visited  Boston, 
in  Massachusetts.  Apprized  of  this  intention, 
Governor  Belcher  addressed  to  him  the  following 
letter.^ 

Boston,  New  England,  May  3d,  1733. 
Honored  Sir, 

It  is  with  great  pleasure  that  I  congratulate  you 
on  your  safe  arrival  in  America  ;  and  I  have  a  still 
greater  in  the  advantages  which  these  parts  of  his 

*  Copied  ftom  the  letter-book  of  Governor  Belcher,  in  the  cabinet 
of  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society. 


76     LETTER  FROM  GOVERNOR  BELCHER. 

Majesty's  dominions  will  reap  from  your  noble  and 
generous  pursuits  of  good  to  mankind  in  the  settle- 
ment of  Georgia.  May  God  Almighty  attend  you 
with  his  blessing,  and  crown  your  toils  with  suc- 
cess. 

Several  of  my  friends,  sir,  from  London,  ac- 
quaint me  with  your  intentions  to  pass  by  land 
from  South  Carolina,  through  the  king's  territories 
as  far  as  this  place ;  where  I  shall  be  very  proud  of 
shewing  you  the  just  esteem  which  I  have  for  you ; 
and  shall  depend  that  you  will  please  to  accept 
such  quarters  as  my  habitation  affords  during  your 
stay  in  this  government. 

When  you  get  to  Philadelphia  or  New  York,  I 
shall  be  glad  of  the  favor  of  a  line  from  you,  to 
know  how  and  when  you  make  your  route  hither. 
I  am,  with  great  respect,  sir. 

Your  most  obedient,  and  most  humble  servant, 

Jonathan  Belcher. 

At  the  next  Assembly  of  the  Province,  the  Gover- 
nor, in  a  special  message,  apprized  them  of  the  ex- 
pectation which  he  had  of  a  visit  from  the  General ; 
and  in  the  House  of  Representatives  "  it  was  or- 
dered that  a  committee  should  be  raised  to  prepare 
for  the  reception  of  James  Oglethorpe,  Esq.,  who 
may  be  expected  in  Boston  this  summer ;  that  so 


COMMITTEE  APPOINTED.  77 

the  government  may  express  their  grateful  sense 
of  his  good  services  to  the  public  interest  of  the 
Province." 

June  21st,  1733,  the  following  motion  was 
agreed  on :  — 

"Whereas  James  Oglethorpe,  Esq.,  a  member 
of  Parliament,  and  now  at  Georgia,  near  South 
Carolina,  hath  at  several  times  appeared  in  favor 
of  New  England ;  and,  in  a  particular  manner 
done  many  good  offices  for  this  Province,  of  which 
this  Court  hath  been  advised  by  Mr.  Agent  Wilkes, 
and  that  he  intends,  in  a  short  time,  to  return  to 
Great  Britain,  by  the  way  of  Boston  :  — 

"  Voted,  That  Mr.  Speaker,  Mr.  Cooke,  Major 
Brattle,  Mr.  Thacher,  Mr.  Welles,  Mr.  Gushing, 
Mr.  Hall,  Mr.  Webb,  and  Major  Bowles,  be  a 
Committee,  from  this  House,  to  congratulate  that 
honorable  gentleman  upon  his  arrival  at  Boston  ; 
and,  in  their  name  and  behalf,  acquaint  him  that 
the  Assembly  are  well  knowing  of  the  many  good 
offices  he  hath  done  this  Province,  in  that,  when 
the  interest,  trade,  and  business  thereof  have  been 
under  the  consideration  of  the  British  Parliament, 
he  hath,  in  a  distinguishing  manner,  consulted 
measures  to  perpetuate  the  peace  and  lasting  hap- 
piness of  this  government.  And,  as  his  worthy 
and  generous  actions  justly  deserve  a  most  grateful 


78  GOVERNOR  BELCHER'S  SPEECH. 

and  public  acknowledgment,  to  assure  him  that 
this  country  will  retain  a  lasting  remembrance  of 
his  great  benefactions  ;  and  that  a  recognition  of 
the  favors  which  they  have  so  frequently  received 
from  him,  is  the  least  that  the  House  can  offer  ; 
while  they  earnestly  desire  the  continuance  of  his 
good  will  towards  this  Province." 

His  Excellency  then  made  the  following  speech : 

"  Gentlemen  of  the  Council  and  House  of  Representatives, 

"  I  am  glad  to  see  the  respect  which  you  have 
expressed  in  your  vote  to  the  Honorable  Mr.  Ogle- 
thorpe, a  member  of  that  wise  and  august  body, 
the  Parliament  of  Great  Britain  ;  but,  as  there  is 
no  money  in  the  treasury  to  defray  the  charge  of 
the  reception  and  entertainment  of  that  honorable 
gentleman,  I  have  taken  early  care  to  invite  him  to 
my  house,  when  he  may  come  into  this  Province, 
and  I  shall  endeavor  to  entertain  him  in  such  a 
manner  as  may  express  the  great  esteem  which  I 
have  of  his  attachment  to  his  Majesty  and  to  his 
Royal  House,  and  of  his  regard  to  this  Province,  as 
well  as  of  his  great  merit.  And  this  I  will  do  at 
my  own  charge,  till  the  treasury  may  be  supplied. 
And  for  these  reasons  I  have  not  made  your  vote 
an  order  of  this  Court." 

The  Editor  of  the  publication,  entitled  "  The 


VISIT  TO  BOSTON  PREVENTED.  79 

Political  State  of  Great  Britain,'^''  makes  the  fol- 
lowing remarks  upon  these  doings  of  the  Legisla- 
ture of  Massachusetts  :  ^ 

"  This  expression  of  gratitude  towards  Mr.  Ogle- 
thorpe shows  that  the  gentlemen  who  are  members 
of  the  House  of  Representatives  in  that  Colony, 
are  men  of  good  sense  as  well  as  lovers  of  their 
country  ;  and  there  is  certainly  no  greater  incite- 
ment to  generous  and  public  spirited  actions  than 
that  of  public  acknowledgment  and  praise." 

Circumstances,  however,  prevented  his  making  a 
visit,  so  earnestly  expected,  and  which  would  have 
been  so  mutually  gratifying. 

On  Wednesday,  January  23,  1734,  Oglethorpe 
set  out  on  an  exploratory  excursion,  to  view  the 
southern  frontiers,  in  a  row-boat  commanded  by 
Captain  Ferguson,  attended  by  fourteen  compan- 
ions and  two  Indians  ;  followed  by  a  yawl  loaded 
with  ammunition  and  provisions.  They  took  "  the 
inland  passages."  Thus  are  named  the  passes  be- 
tween 'the  belt  of  "  sea-islands "  and  the  main 
land.  For  the  distance  of  seven  miles  from  the 
ocean  along  the  whole  coast,  there  is  a  margin  of 
islands  and  marshes,  intersected  by  rivers,  creeks, 
and   inlets,   communicating  with  each  other,  and 

'  Vol.  XLVIII.  p.  173. 


80  SURVEY  OF   THE   COAST. 

forming  a  complete  inland  navigation  for  vessels  of 
one  hundred  tons. 

Having  reached  the  north-west  coast  of  the 
islands  of  Ossabavv,  St.  Catherine,  and  Sapelo, 
they  passed  the  entrances  of  Vernon  river,  of  the 
Ogechee,  and  of  the  northern  branches  of  the  Ala- 
tamaha  ;  and,  on  the  26th  landed  on  the  first  Alba- 
ny bluff  of  St.  Simons,  where  they  lay  dry  under 
the  shelter  of  a  large  live  oak  tree,  though  it  rained 
hard.  The  next  day  they  proceeded  to  the  sea 
point  of  St.  Simons,  in  order  to  take  an  observation 
of  the  latitude.  They  afterwards  discovered  an 
island,  of  which  the  general  asked  the  name,  and, 
finding  that  it  had  none,  he  called  it  Jekyl,  in 
honor  of  Sir  Joseph  Jekyl,  his  respected  and  par- 
ticular friend.^  They  reconnoitred  various  other 
places,  and  the  mouths  of  rivers  ;  and,  on  their  re- 
turn went  up  the  Ogechee  to  Fort  Argyle,  where 
they  lay  in  a  house  and  upon  beds,  "  for  the  first 
time  since  they  left  Thunderbolt."  ^ 

'  This  eminent  man,  who  was  the  son  of  a  clergyman  in  North- 
amptonshire, Great  Britain,  became  known  as  an  able  lawyer, 
and  an  eloquent  statesman.  As  the  friend  of  the  Whigs,  he  was 
one  of  the  managers  of  Sacheverell's  trial ;  and,  after  maintaining 
his  principles  and  popularity  undiminished,  he  was  made,  in  the 
reign  of  George  I.,  Master  of  the  Rolls  and  Privy  Counsellor,  and 
was  also  knighted.     He  died  in  1738,  aged  75. 

*  This  startling  appellation  was  early  given  to  a  little  settlement 


ISLAND  OF   ST.   SIMONS.  3I 

The  fortifications  there,  by  the  unwearied  dih- 
gence  of  Captain  McPherson,  were  finished,  and 
very  defensible  ;  being  well  flanked,  and  having 
several  pieces  of  cannon.^ 

By  this  excursion  he  ascertained  how  expedient 
it  was  to  have  an  outpost,  with  a  well-manned  fort 
on  the  island  of  St.  Simons  ;  and  how  desirable 
to  form  a  settlement  and  military  station  near  the 
mouth  of  the  Alatamaha,  for  the  protection  and 
defence  of  the  colony.'^ 

A  strong  sense  of  indignation  had  been  expressed 
in  England  at  the  persecution  of  the  Protestants  at 
Saltzburg,  in  Bavaria,  who  had  been  banished  by 
an  Episcopal  edict  from  their  homes  on  account  of 
their  religion,  and,  in  the   midst  of  winter,  driven 

in  the  neighborhood  of  Savannah,  in  reference  to  an  awful  explo- 
sion there,  the  effects  of  which  were  said  to  be  perceivable  in  the 
sulphuric  smell  and  taste  of  a  spring  of  water.  "  Adhuc  tenet 
nomen,  indelibile !  " 

'  Letter  from  a  Gentleman  of  Savannah  to  his  friend  at  Charles- 
toivn,  S.  C,  inserted  in  The  New  England  WecMy  Journal,  May 
13,  1734. 

*  "  At  the  west  side  of  the  island  is  a  high  bluff,  compared  with 
the  marshes  in  its  front;  and  here  Frederica  was  afterwards  built. 
The  shore  is  washed  by  a  fine  river,  which  communicates  with  the 
Alatamaha,  and  enters  the  ocean  through  Jekyl  sound,  at  the  south 
end  of  the  island.  It  forms  a  bay  which  is  navigable  for  vessels  of 
large  burden."  McGall,  I.  170. 
11 


82  EXILED  SALTZBURGERS. 

from  the  region  to  seek  a  place  of  refuge.'  Ogle- 
thorpe had  shared  largely  in  the  general  sympathy; 
and,  in  a  speech  in  the  House  of  Commons,  had 
declared  his  regret  that  no  provision  had  been  made 
for  their  relief  in  the  late  treaty.  He  proposed  to 
the  Trustees  for  settling  the  colony  of  Georgia,  that 
an  asylum  should  be  there  opened  for  these  exiles. 
The  proposition  met  with  ready  concurrence.  A 
letter  was  addressed  to  their  Elder,  the  venerable 
Samuel  Urlsperger,  to  inquire  whether  a  body  of 
them  would  be  disposed  to  join  the  new  settlers,  if 
measures  were  taken  for  their  transportation.  A 
favorable  answer  was  received.  An  English  vessel 
was  sent  to  convey  them  from  Rotterdam  to  Dover ; 
and  thence  they  embarked  on  the  8th  of  January, 
1734,  on  board  the  ship  Purrysburgh,  Captain  Frey, 
under  the  more  immediate  care  and  conduct  of  the 
Baron  Philip  George  Frederick  Von  Reck,  together 
with  their  Reverend  Pastors,  John  Martin  Bolzius 
and  Israel  Christian  Gronau.  After  many  difficul- 
ties and  dangers,  they  arrived  at  Charlestown,  South 
Carolina,  on  the  7th  of  March.^  Oglethorpe,  who 
happened  to  be  there,  as  they  piously  considered, 
"  providentially,"  bid  them  a  cheering  welcome. 
He  had  their  ship  supplied  with  provisions ;  anjd 

'  Gentleman'' s  Magazine,  1732,  p.  866,  and  Appendix,  No.  XV. 
^  See  Appendix,  No.  XVI. 


ARRIVAL  OF   SALTZBURGERS.  gg 

sent  the  sea-sick  pilgrinis,  what  is  so  grateful  and 
refreshing  after  a  voyage,  many  baskets  of  cab- 
bages, turnips,  radishes,  lettuce,  and  other  vegeta- 
bles, "  of  which  the  gardens  were  full."  He  intro- 
duced the  Baron  and  the  ministers  to  the  Governor, 
who  received  them  with  much  civility,  and  with 
whom  they  dined. 

The  General  sent  one  of  his  men  to  their  ship, 
as  a  pilot,  as  also  to  announce  their  arrival,  and 
bespeak  the  attention  of  the  magistrates  at  Savan- 
nah ;  and,  on  the  9th  they  set  sail  for  the  desired 
region  of  peace.  They  entered  the  river  on  the 
10th,  which  was  remitiiscere- Sunday ;  and  "they 
called  to  remembrance  the  former  days,  in  which, 
after  they  were  illuminated,"  (and  because  they 
were  so,)  "  they  endured  a  great  fight  of  afflictions, 
partly  while  they  were  made  a  gazing-stock  in 
their  dispersions,  and  partly  while  they  became 
companions  of  them  that  were  so.  But  they  took 
unresistingly  the  spoiling  of  their  goods,  trusting  to 
those  who  had  compassion  on  their  sufferings." ' 
"  And  they  remembered  the  kindnesses  of  Ogle- 
thorpe." 

In  the  journal  of  their  pastor,^  it  is  stated,  "While 
we  lay  off  the  banks  of  our  dear  Georgia,  in  a  very 
lovely  calm,  and  heard  the  birds  singing  sweetly, 

*  Hebrews,  x.  32-34.  '  Uklspukger,  I.  p.  80. 


84  REMINISCERE-SUNDAY. 

all  was  cheerful  on  board.  It  was  really  edifying 
to  us  that  we  came  to  the  borders  of '  the  promised 
land,'  this  day,  when,  as  we  are  taught  in  its  lesson 
from  the  Gospel,  that  Jesus  came  to  the  borders  by 
the  sea-coast,  after  he  had  endured  persecution  and 
rejection  by  his  countrymen." 

On  the  1 1  th  the  ship  got  upon  the  sand ;  but 
was  floated  off  by  the  tide  on  the  12th,  and  as  they 
passed  up  the  river,  they  were  delighted  with  the 
pleasant  prospect  on  both  sides.  The  balmy  odors 
of  the  pine  trees,  wafted  by  the  land-breeze,  seem- 
ed like  incense  mingling  with  their  orisons,  and  the 
carols  of  the  birds  were  in  accordance  with  their 
matin-hymn  of  praise.  This  second  reference  to 
the  minstrelsy  of  the  grove,  will  not  be  wondered 
at  by  those  who  have  visited  that  region  in  the 
spring  of  the  year.  The  various  notes  of  the 
feathered  choristers  are  enchanting,  even  now, 
when  the  din  of  population  has  frightened  them 
into  coverts.  But  then,  free  and  fearless,  the 
strains  were  lively  and  joyful,  and  the  chorus  full. 

As  the  vessel  was  moored  near  the  landing- 
place,  the  inhabitants  flocked  down  to  the  bank, 
and  raised  a  cheering  shout,  which  was  responded 
with  much  gladness  by  the  passengers  on  deck. 
Some  of  them  were  soon  taken  off"  in  a  boat,  and  led 
round  to  the  town,  part  through  the  wood,  and  part 


RECEPTION  OF   THE  EXILES.  35 

through  the  newly  laid  out  garden  of  the  Trustees. 
Meanwhile  "  a  right  good  feast"  was  prepared  for 
them,  and  they  were  regaled  with  "  very  fine  whole- 
some English  beer."  And,  as  otherwise  much  love 
and  friendliness  were  shewn  them  by  the  inhabi- 
tants, and  as  the  beautiful  situation  round  about 
pleased  them,  they  were  in  fine  spirits,  and  their  joy 
was  consecrated  by  praise  to  God. 

The  pastors  Gronau  and  Bolzius,  with  the  com- 
missary Von  Reck,  and  Dr.  Zweitzer  were  lodged 
in  the  house  of  the  Reverend  Mr.  Quincy,^  "  whom 
they  had  met  at  Charlestown,  on  his  return  from  a 
visit  which  he  had  been  paying  to  his  parents  in 
Boston,  Massachusetts,  when  he  obligingly  offered 
them  the  accommodation.  For  the  emigrants  bar- 
racks and  tents  were  provided  till  the  return  of  the 
General  from  Charlestown,  whither  he  had  gone  to 
take  passage  for  England,  "  but  out  of  good  will  to 
the  Saltzburgers,  he  put  off  his  voyage  for  some 
days,  and  was  resolved  to  see  them  settled  before 
he  went."^     He   had    promised   them    that   they 

'  The  Rev.  Samuel  Quincy,  a  native  of  Boston,  Massachusetts, 
having  been  educated  in  England,  and  received  priest's  orders  on 
the  28th  of  October,  1730,  by  Dr.  Waugh,  Bishop  of  Carlisle,  was,  in 
1734  sent,  by  the  Society  for  Propagating  the  Gospel  in  Foreign 
Parts,  as  a  missionary  to  Georgia. 

'  Extract  from  a  manuscript  of  Von  Reek's  Journal,  furnished 
me  by  T.  K.  Teflft,  Esq.  of  Savannah. 


86  A  PLACE   SELECTED  FOR  THE  EXILES. 

should  have  liberty  to  choose  such  part  of  the  coun- 
try as  they  thought  most  convenient,  fertile  and 
pleasant ;  and  that  he  would  go  out  with  some  of 
their  elders,  and  select  a  place  to  their  liking. 
They  desired  one  at  a  distance  from  the  sea,  on 
gently  rising  ground,  with  intervening  vales,  near 
springs  of  water,  and  on  the  border  of  a  small  river, 
or  clear  brook ;  such  being  the  nature  of  the  region 
where  they  were  born.  To  fulfil  this  engagement, 
immediately  after  his  return,  attended  with  Paul 
Jenys,  Esq.,  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Assembly  of 
South  Carolina,  and  some  other  gentlemen,  he  set 
out  on  the  15th  of  March,  wdth  Baron  Von  Reck, 
the  commissary,  Mr.  Gronau,  one  of  the  ministers, 
Mr.  Zweitzer  their  Doctor,  and  one  of  the  elders, 
taking  some  Indians  as  guides,  to  explore  the  part 
of  the  country  which  answered  to  the  description 
of  the  Saltzburgers.  They  went  up  the  river  in 
boats  as  far  as  Mr.  Musgrove's  cow-pens,  where 
horses  were  got  ready ;  and,  after  a  ride  of  about 
fifteen  miles,  westward,  through  the  woods,  they 
arrived  at  the  banks  of  a  river,  eighty  feet  wide, 
and  twelve  deep,  with  high  banks.  The  adja- 
cent country  was  hilly,  with  valleys  of  cane-land, 
intersected  with  little  brooks,  and  bordered  with 
springs  of  water.  The  Saltzburgers  were  extremely 
pleased  with  the    place,  and   adopted   it      They 


PLACE  NAMED  EBENEZER.  g? 

then  kneeled  down  bj  the  river  side,  and  devoutly 
thanked  God  for  bringing  them  out  of  their  perse- 
cutions, safe  through  so  many  dangers,  into  a  land 
of  rest ;  in  memorial  of  which,  they  desired  that 
the  place  might  be  called  Ebenezer  —  "  Hitherto 
the  Lord  hath  helped  us  !''  With  the  Bible  in 
their  hands,  they  then  marched  up  to  a  site  which 
was  judged  most  proper  to  build  upon  ;  sung  an 
hymn,  and  the  pastor  pronounced  a  benediction. 

Having  thus  assigned  to  the  exiles,  "  a  local 
habitation  and  a  name,"  they  all  went  to  Abercorn, 
a  village  lately  built,  about  the  distance  of  six  miles. 
Thence  the  commissary  and  his  companions  return- 
ed to  Savannah,  and  Oglethorpe,  with  the  speaker, 
went  to  Purrysburgh  on  the  18th  in  order  to  row 
up  the  river  to  the  Palachocolas  Indians,  but  the 
floods  from  the  Cherokee  mountains  had  so  swelled 
the  freshes,  as  to  make  that  passage  too  tedious. 
They,  therefore,  went  back  to  Abercorn,  and  thence 
to  the  designed  settlement  of  the  Saltzburgers, 
where  Oglethorpe,  parting  with  his  honorable  friend, 
crossed  the  river  with  the  Indians,  and  renewed  his 
excursion  to  Palachocolas.  There  he  found  a  fort 
erected  at  the  lowest  passage  of  the  river,  and  forty- 
five  miles  from  Savannah.  Returning  from  this 
visit,  as  he  entered  Ebenezer  he  found  eight  of  the 
most  able-bodied  men  at  work,  with  their  minister 


88  SETTLEMENT   COMMENCED. 

Gronau,  in  constructing  booths  and  tents  against 
the  arrival  of  the  famihes.  In  furtherance  of  their 
labors,  he  laid  out  the  town,  and  directed  the  car- 
penters, who  had  arrived  also  in  obedience  to  his 
orders,  to  assist  in  building  six  houses. 

These  attentions  to  the  accommodation  of  the 
poor  Protestants  were  gratefully  acknowledged,  and 
are  recorded  in  the  journal  of  the  Reverend  Mr. 
Bolzius,  with  a  respectful  tribute  to  the  religious 
character  of  Oglethorpe,  of  which  the  following  is 
a  translation  ; '  "  So  far  as  we  can  conclude  from  a 
short  acquaintance  with  him,  he  is  a  man  who  has 
a  great  reverence  for  God,  and  his  holy  word  and 
ordinances ;  a  cordial  love  for  the  servants  and 
children  of  God ;  and  who  wishes  to  see  the  name 
of  Christ  glorified  in  all  places.  So  blest  have 
been  his  undertakings  and  his  presence  in  this  land, 
that  more  has  been  accomplished  by  him  in  one 
year  than  others  would  have  effected  in  many.  And 
since  the  people  here  have  had  such  good  cause  to 
appreciate  his  right  fatherly  disposition,  his  inde- 
fatigable toil  for  their  welfare,  and  his  illustrious 
qualities,  they  feel  that  his  departure  would  be  a 
real  loss  to  them.  For  us  he  hath  cared  with  a 
most  provident  solicitude.  We  unite  in  prayers  for 
him,  that  God  would  guide  him  to  his  home,  make 

'  Urlspurger,  I.  p.  91. 


>u. 


ArrrTMrtai    beanngiul     ( J  I ;  I .  K  Tl  1  (  )T»1  M''. 


.HOirORABT  MEDAL 


SEAL  rf  iht   TKi:  5  TTiiiS 


^-^T 


.    1^ 


-■■  ■■      -<     '^^i^m^Z'^'^^Sir 


I, nil, I    hf, ,.•,;■  ..I.     ■/■ijO'i' 


))■*./.  r.,l7/«///'r  /,il', 


OGLETHORPE'S  RETURN  TO  ENGLAND.         89 

his  voyage  safe  and  prosperous,  and  enrich  him  with 
many  blessings  !  " 

In  journeys  often  and  labors  more  abundant,  he 
returned  to  Savannah ;  and  set  out  from  thence  on 
the  23d  of  March,  with  the  Speaker,  to  Charlestown, 
where  he  arrived  on  the  27th  with  a  retinue  of  In- 
dian chiefs,  whom  he  had  persuaded  to  accompany 
him  to  England.  He  had  rightly  judged  that  it 
would  be  an  advantage  to  the  colony  to  let  some 
of  the  natives  have  a  sight  of  England,  as  it  would 
give  them  a  high  idea  of  that  kingdom.  He  had 
gained  the  consent  of  Tomo  Chichi  and  Scenawki 
his  wife  and  Toonahowi  his  nephew  ;  of  Hillispilli, 
the  war  chief;  Apakowtski,  Stimalchi,  Sintouchi, 
and  Hinguithi,  five  chiefs  of  the  Creek  nation ;  and 
of  Umphichi,  a  chief  from  Palachocolas ;  with  their 
interpreter. 

They  embarked  in  the  Aldborough  man  of  war 
on  Tuesday,  the  7th  of  May,  1734. 


12 


CHAPTER    VI. 

Oglethorpe  arrives  in  England  with  his  Indian  Escort  —  Is  welcomed 
by  the  Trustees  —  Apartments  are  provided  for  the  Indians  — 
They  are  introduced  to  the  King  and  Royal  Family  —  One  of  their 
number  dies  of  the  small  pox  —  Visit  the  Archbishop  of  Canter- 
bury, and  Eton  College  —  Shown  the  public  buildings  and  insti- 
tutions in  London  —  Embark  for  Georgia  —  Their  arrival. 

The  Aid  borough  arrived  at  St.  Helen's,  in  the  Isle 
of  Wight,  on  the  16th  of  June,  1734,  bringing  the 
founder  of  the  new  Colony,  with  the  most  grati- 
fying accounts  of  his  labors  and  success.  He  had 
"  laid  the  foundation  of  many  generations."  He 
had  made  "  the  desolate  wilderness  a  pleasant  por- 
tion ;  "  and,  for  its  wildhngs,  had  substituted  offsets 
which  should  become  "  plants  of  renown."  And 
he  had  brought  with  him  some  chiefs  of  the  Indian 
tribes,  to  testify  their  accordance  with  the  new 
settlement,  and  to  repeat  the  expression  of  their 
desire  to  receive  instruction  in  the  language  and 
religion  of  the  settlers. 

When  a  Roman  General  returned  a  conqueror, 


OGLETHORPE'S  ARRIVAL.  9] 

he  entered  the  Imperial  City  with  a  triumphal  pro- 
cession, in  martial  pomp  and  pageantry,  dragging 
at  his  car  the  kings  and  captains  he  had  vanquished. 
But  here  was  a  return  from  a  successful  campaign, 
not  bringing  captives  taken  in  battle,  but  an  escort 
of  unconquered  chieftains,  themselves  sharers  in  the 
ovation  of  benevolence  and  the  triumph  of  philan- 
thropy. 

Oglethorpe  immediately  addressed  a  letter  to  Sir 
John  Phillips,  Baronet,  notifying  him  of  his  return, 
and  giving  him  the  pleasing  intelhgence  of  the  safe 
arrival  of  the  Baron  Von  Reck,  and  the  Saltzburgers, 
whom  he  called  "  a  very  sensible,  active,  laborious, 
and  pious  people."  He  mentioned  their  location  as 
selected  to  their  liking ;  and  said  that  he  left  them 
busily  employed  in  completing  its  settlement.  He 
added,  "An  Indian  chief,  named  Tomo  Chichi,  the 
Mico,  or  king  of  Yamacraw,  a  man  of  an  excellent 
understanding,  is  so  desirous  of  having  the  young 
people  taught  the  English  language  and  religion, 
that,  notwithstanding  his  advanced  age,  he  has 
come  over  hither  with  me  to  obtain  means,  and 
assistant  teachers.  He  has  brought  with  him  a 
young  man  whom  he  calls  his  nephew  and  next 
heir ;  and  who  has  already  learned  the  Lord's 
prayer  in  the  English  and  Indian  language." 

"  I  shall  leave  the  Indians  at  my  estate,  till  I  go 


92  RECEPTION   BY  THE  TRUSTEES. 

to  the  city,  where  I  shall  have  the  happiness  to 
wait  upon  you,  and  to  relate  all  things  to  you  more 
fully  ;  over  which  you  will  rejoice  and  wonder."  ^ 

Having  repaired  to  his  house  in  old  Palace-Yard, 
Westminster,  he  notified  the  Trustees  of  his  arrival. 
Some  of  the  gentlemen  immediately  called  on  him, 
and  escorted  him  to  the  Georgia  office,  where  he 
received  their  congratulations,  with  "  expressions 
of  their  great  satisfaction  in  the  eminent  services 
which  he  had  performed  in  behalf  of  their  new  set- 
tlement."^ 

On  the  evening  of  the  21st  they  gave  a  grand 
entertainment  in  honor  of  so  distinguished  an  asso- 
ciate ;  and  heard  from  him,  with  admiration,  the 
narrative  of  his  achievements.^ 

On  a  special  meeting  they  "  voted  their  unani- 
mous thanks  to  him  for  the  ability,  zeal,  activity, 
and  perseverance  with  which  he  had  conducted  the 
affairs  of  the  settlement,  and  assured  him  that  they 
should  ever  hold  his  services  in  grateful  remem- 
brance." 


^  Not  having  met  with  aa  English  copy  of  the  letter,  I  have  given 
a  version  from  the  German  in  "  Ausfurliche  Nachrichten  von  der 
Salzbur gischen  en  America,  von  Samuel  Urlspurghek.  Halle, 
1745.     4to. 

*  Gentleman's  Magazine,  June,  1734,  p.  327. 

*  London  Magazine,  June,  1734. 


HONORABLE  TRIBUTE.  93 

A  publication  of  the  day  thus  announces  his  ar- 
rival ;  ^  "  On  the  16th  of  last  month,  James  Ogle- 
thorpe, Esq.,  member  of  Parliament  for  Haslemere, 
in  Surrey,  and  of  the  Trustees  for  establishing  the 
Colony  of  Georgia,  arrived  in  the  Aldborough  man 
of  war,  at  St.  Helen's,  on  his  return  from  that  col- 
ony ;  he  having  had  so  much  generosity  and  public 
spirit  as  to  go  along  with  the  first  number  of  per- 
sons that  were  sent  out  for  its  establishment,  where 
he  has  been  ever  since  ;  being  resolved  to  be  a 
sharer  with  them  in  all  the  fatigues  and  dangers 
that  might  happen,  either  from  the  inclemency  of  a 
new  climate,  or  from  any  of  the  accidents  that  usu- 
ally attend  the  settlement  of  a  new  colony ;  and 
not  to  leave  them  till  he  saw  them  in  a  condition, 
not  only  to  provide  their  own  subsistence,  but  to 
defend  themselves  against  any  enemy  that  might 
probably  attack  them  ;  all  which  fatigues  and  dan- 
gers he  exposed  himself  to,  and  has  undergone  at 
his  own  charge,  and  without  the  least  view  of  any 
private  advantage  or  satisfaction,  but  that  which 
every  good  man  must  feel  in  contributing  to  the 
relief  of  the  distressed,  and  the  public  good  of  his 
country.  This  is  such  an  action  as  the  Roman  his- 
torians, in  the  times  of  their  greatest  virtue,  would 

'  Political  State  of  Great  Britain,  Vol.  XVIII.  p.  19. 


94  APARTMENTS  FOR   THE   INDIANS. 

have  been  proud  of  recording ;  and  such  an  one  as 
ought  not  to  escape  the  notice  of  any  man  who 
pretends  to  give  an  account  of  the  transactions  of 
this  kingdom." 

His  return  was  congratulated  in  some  very  com- 
plimentary verses  ;  as  was  also  the  arrival  of  Tomo 
Chichi ; '  and  the  head  of  Oglethorpe  was  proposed 
by  Mr.  Urban  for  a  prize  medal,^  to  commemorate 
his  benevolence  and  patriotism. 

Comfortable  apartments  were  provided  for  the 
Indians  in  the  Georgia  office  ;  and,  when  they  were 
suitably  dressed,  and  had  curiously  painted  their 
faces,  according  to  their  custom.  Sir  Clement  Cot- 
terell  was  sent,  on  the  1st  of  August,  to  the  Georgia 
office,  whence  he  took  them  all,  except  one  who 
was  sick  with  the  small  pox,  and  had  them  con- 
veyed, in  three  of  the  King's  coaches,  drawn  by 
six  horses,  to  the  palace  at  Kensington.  They 
were  received  at  the  door  by  the  body  guards,  and 
then,  by  the  Duke  of  Grafton,  Lord  Chamberlain, 
presented  to  his  Majesty,  whom  Tomo  Chichi  ad- 
dressed in  the  following  characteristic  terms. 

*  Gentleman'' s  Magazine,  Vol.  IV.  p.  505. 

^  Gentleman's  Magazine,  Vol,  V.  17S.  "  The  die  was  broken 
after  a  few  were  struck  off."  See  Editorial  note  in  Gentleman's 
Magazine  for  July,  17S5,.p.  517.  I  have  procured  an  engraving,  of 
the  size  of  the  original. 


TOMO  CHICHI'S   SPEECH  TO  THE  KING.  95 

"  Great  king ;  this  day  I  see  the  majesty  of 
your  person,  the  greatness  of  your  house,  and  the 
number  of  your  people.  I  am  come  in  my  old 
days ;  so  I  cannot  expect  to  obtain  any  advantage 
to  myself ;  but  I  come  for  the  good  of  the  Creeks, 
that  they  may  be  informed  about  the  English,  and 
be  instructed  in  your  language  and  religion.  I 
present  to  you,  in  their  name,  the  feathers  of  an 
eagle,  which  is  the  swiftest  of  birds,  and  flieth 
around  our  nations.  These  feathers  are  emblems 
of  peace  in  our  land,  and  have  been  carried  from 
town  to  town,  to  witness  it.  We  have  brought 
them  to  you,  to  be  a  token  and  pledge  of  peace,  on 
our  part,  to  be  kept  on  yours. 

"  O  great  king  !  whatsoever  you  shall  say  to  me, 
I  will  faithfully  tell  to  all  the  chiefs  of  the  Creek 
nation." 

To  this  the  king  replied,  —  "I  am  glad  of  this 
opportunity  of  assuring  you  of  my  regard  for  the 
people  from  whom  you  came  ;  and  I  am  extremely 
well  pleased  with  the  assurance  which  you  have 
brought  me  from  them.  1  accept,  very  gratefully, 
this  present,  as  an  indication  of  their  good  disposi- 
tions towards  me  and  my  people  ;  and  shall  always 
be  ready  to  show  them  marks  of  favor,  and  purposes 
to  promote  their  welfare." 

They  were  then  introduced  to  her  Majesty,  who 


96  INDIANS   INTRODUCED  TO  THE  QUEEN. 

was  seated  on  a  throne  in  the  great  gallery,  at- 
tended by  ladies  of  the  court  and  nobility.  The 
aged  Mico  thus  addressed  her  :  "  I  am  glad  to  see 
you  this  day,  and  to  have  the  opportunity  of  be- 
holding the  mother  of  this  great  nation.  As  our 
people  are  now  joined  with  yours,  we  hope  that 
you  will  be  a  common  mother,  and  a  protectress  of 
us  and  our  children."  To  this  her  Majesty  return- 
ed a  courteous  answer. 

After  this  they  were  introduced  to  his  Royal 
Highness  the  Prince  of  Wales,  the  Duke  of  Cum- 
berland, the  Princess  of  Orange,  the  Princesses 
Amelia,  Caroline,  Mary,  and  Louisa ;  and  then 
were  conducted  back  to  their  lodgings. 

On  the  3d  of  August  they  were  greatly  afflicted 
by  the  decease  of  one  of  their  companions  by  the 
small  pox,  notwithstanding  the  best  medical  at- 
tendance ;  but  it  occasioned  no  bad  consequences, 
as  his  associates  were  with  him,  and  saw  that  much 
better  care  was  taken  of  him  than  could  have  been 
at  home.  He  was  interred,  after  the  manner  of 
their  country,  in  St.  John's  burial  ground,  West- 
minster. The  corpse,  sewed  up  in  two  blankets, 
with  a  deal-board  under  and  another  over,  and  tied 
down  with  a  cord,  was  carried  to  the  grave  on  a 
bier.  There  were  present  only  Tomo  Chichi, 
three  of  the  chiefs,  the  upper  church-warden,  and 


INDIANS   VISIT  THE   ARCHBISHOP.  97 

the  grave-digger.  When  the  body  was  laid  in  the 
earth,  the  clothes  of  the  deceased  were  thrown  in; 
after  this,  a  quantity  of  glass  beads  and  some  pieces 
of  silver  ;  the  custom  of  these  Indians  being  to 
bury  such  effects  of  the  deceased  with  him. 

As  all  methods  made  to  console  them  were  dis- 
regarded, Oglethorpe  took  them  out  to  his  estate, 
that  in  the  country  retirement  they  might  have  a 
better  opportunity  to  bewail  the  dead  according  to 
their  custom,  and  that  the  change  of  the  place 
might  serve  to  abate  their  sorrow. 

On  the  17th  of  August,  the  aged  and  venerable 
Archbishop  of  Canterbury^  had  them  taken  in  his 
boat  to  Putney,  where  they  were  received  and  en- 
tertained in  a  very  agreeable  manner.  On  taking 
leave,  Tomo  Chichi  intimated  his  inability,  from 
want  of  a  knowledge  of  the  English  language,  to 
express  suitably  the  acknowledgments  of  himself 
and  his  companions  of  the  kind  notice  taken  of 
them. 

The  following  day  they  visited  his  Grace  at  Lam- 
beth, and  endeavored  to  make  known  to  him  how 
deeply  affected  they  were  with  the  ignorance  in 
religion  in  which  they  and  their  people  were  in- 
volved ;  and  how  much  they  not  only  needed,  but 
desired  instruction.     In  their  conference  with  Dr. 


'  Rev.  William  Wake,  D.  D. 
13 


98  VISIT  TO  ETON  COLLEGE. 

Lynch,  the  son-in-law  of  the  Archbishop,  the  Mico 
was  more  explicit,  and  requested  that  some  person 
might  be  sent  to  teach  them ;  more  particularly 
their  youth. 

On  the  next  day  they  went  to  Eton  College,  and 
were  received  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  George,  Dr.  Berri- 
man,  and  the  rest  of  the  Fellows  present.  On 
closing  their  visit  to  the  school-room,  Tomo  Chichi 
begged  that  the  lads  might  have  a  holiday  when 
the  Doctor  thought  proper  ;  which  caused  a  general 
huzza.  They  were  then  shewn  the  several  apart- 
ments of  the  college,  and  took  a  respectful  leave. 
Afterwards  they  went  to  Windsor,  where  they  were 
graciously  received ;  and  thence  to  St.  George's 
Chapel,  where  the  prebends  present  named  Dr. 
Maynard  to  compliment  the  Mico  from  the  D«an 
and  Chapter.  The  following  day  they  went  to 
Hampton  Court ;  saw  the  royal  apartments ;  and 
walked  in  the  gardens,  where  a  great  concourse  of 
people  had  assembled  to  see  them.  After  these 
more  distinguishing  attentions,  they  were  shewn 
the  Tower,  the  public  buildings,  Greenwich  Hos- 
pital, and  all  the  great  and  interesting  spectacles 
in  London  ;  and  nothing  was  neglected  that  might 
serve  to  awaken  and  gratify  their  curiosity,  and  to 
impress  them  with  the  grandeur  and  power  of  the 
British  nation. 


THE  INDIANS  RETURN  TO  GEORGIA.  99 

After  having  staid  four  months,  they  were  taken 
to  Gravesend  in  one  of  his  Majesty's  carriages, 
whence  they  embarked  aboard  the  transport  ship, 
the  Prince  of  Wales,  George  Dunbar,  Captain,  on 
the  return  voyage  to  Savannah,  where  they  arrived 
on  the  27th  of  December,  1734. 

Captain  Dunbar,  in  a  letter  to  the  Trustees,  an- 
nouncing his  remarkably  quick  and  prosperous  pas- 
sage across  the  Atlantic,  wrote  thus  :  "  We  arrived 
here  all  cheerful  and  in  good  health.  The  Indians 
behaved  with  their  accustomed  modesty ;  as  did 
also,  the  Saltzburgers,  who  are  a  sober  and  pious 
people,  and  gave  much  less  trouble  than  I  expect- 
ed ;  nor  do  I  think  any  of  them  were  dissatisfied 
while  on  board."  In  conclusion,  he  added,  "  Tomo 
Chichi,  Toonahowi,  Hillispilli,  and  Umpichi  were 
so  kind  as  to  come  on  board  on  the  morning  of  our 
intended  departure  to  see  me.  They  have  a  very 
grateful  remembrance  of  the  many  civilities  which 
they  received  in  England,  and  desire  me  to  inform 
your  honors  that  Santechi  has  gone  to  the  Upper 
and  Middle  Creeks,  who  are  at  present  extremely 
well  disposed  to  the  British  interest,  and  their 
deputies  are  expected  down  in  two  months."  ^ 


*  London  Magazine  for  March,  1735,  p.  162.     See  also  the  whole 
letter,  in  the  Political  State  of  Great  Britain,  April,  1735,  p,  374. 


CHAPTER    VII. 

Oglethorpe  remains  in  England  —  Trustees  make  Regulations  — 
Oglethorpe,  desirous  of  providing  for  the  conversion  of  the  In- 
dians, applies  to  Bishop  Wilson  to  prepare  a  Book  of  Religious 
Instruction  for  them  —  Trustees  seek  for  Missionaries  —  Engage 
John  and  Charles  Wesley. 

Oglethorpe  remained  in  England  to  attend  to  his 
duties  as  a  member  of  Parliament,  and  to  suggest 
to  the  Trustees  measures  for  the  furtherance  of  the 
settlement  of  Georgia.  i 

In  consequence  of  the  information  which  he  could 
give  from  his  personal  observation,  and  that  which 
he  had  received  from  others,  respecting  the  state  of 
the  colony,  and  what  w^ould  be  expedient  for  its 
advancement  in  good  order  and  prosperity,  the  Trus- 
tees prepared  a  regulation,  which  was  enacted  by 
the  government  into  a  law,  "  for  maintaining  peace 
with  the  Indians."  This  included  the  provisions 
and  immunities  of  the  act  of  the  General  Assembly 


REGULATIONS  BY  THE  TRUSTEES.    IQl 

of  South  Carolina  in  1731  ;  and,  of  course,  was 
accordant  with  the  relations  and  mutual  interests  of 
both  Provinces.  There  was,  also,  passed  a  law  for 
a  like  salutary  purpose  for  preventing  trouble  with 
the  Indians,  as  well  as  preserving  the  health  and 
morals  of  the  people  already  settled  or  that  might 
be  settled  in  their  new  colony,  from  the  pernicious 
effects  of  spirituous  liquors,  entitled  "  An  act  to 
prevent  the  importation  and  use  of  rum  and  bran- 
dies into  the  Province  of  Georgia,  or  any  kind  of 
ardent  spirits  or  strong  waters  whatsoever."  A 
writer  of  the  day  makes  this  remark,  "At  the  same 
time  the  Trustees  endeavored  to  supply  the  stores 
with  strong  beer  from  England,  molasses  for  brew- 
ing beer,  and  with  Madeira  wines  ;  which  the  people 
might  purchase  at  reasonable  rates,  which  would  be 
more  refreshing  and  ivholesome  for  themy^ 

An  unchecked  indulgence  in  ardent  spirits  has 
ever  been  followed  by  lamentable  effects.  It  de- 
moralizes the  conduct,  destroys  health,  prevents 
usefulness,  and  ruins  reputation.  It  breaks  up  do- 
mestic peace,  wastes  property,  leads  to  impoverish- 
ed circumstances,  and  entails  wretchedness  upon 
the  members  of  the  family  of  which  the  head  was 

*  Account,  shotcing  the  Progress  of  the  Colony  of  Georgia  in 
America,  from  its  first  establishment :  published  by  Order  of  the 
Trustees.    Lond.  1741 ;  page  16,  under  the  year  1734. 


102  REGULATIONS  — REASONS  FOR. 

the  victim.  The  prohibition,  therefore,  if  it  led  to 
the  disuse  of  the  dangerous  potation,  would  have 
been  the  present  removal,  and  prevented  the  sub- 
sequent extension,  of  one  of  the  greatest  evils 
which  has  corrupted  the  social  condition. 

To  these  prudent  and  salutary  regulations  fol- 
lowed a  statute  entitled  "  An  act  for  rendering  the 
Province  of  Georgia  more  defencible,  by  prohibit- 
ing the  importation  of  black  slaves,  or  negroes,  into 
the  same."  For  this  enactment,  besides  the  con- 
sideration stated  in  the  title,  the  following  reasons 
are  assigned:  1.  On  account  of  the  cost  of  pur- 
chase, which,  the  settlers  themselves  being  too  poor 
to  defray,  must  be  met  by  the  Trustees ;  on  whom 
it  would  be  a  tax  greater  than  they  had  funds  to 
pay,  or  believed  that  they  could  obtain.  2.  Be- 
cause of  the  additional  expense  of  their  after  main- 
tenance, which  must  be  provided,  in  addition  to 
that  already  incurred  for  the  support  of  those  by 
whom  they  were  to  be  employed.  And  3.  be- 
cause the  Trustees  were  desirous  that  the  settlers 
should  acquire  the  habits  of  labor  and  industry,  of 
economy  and  thrift,  by  personal  application.* 

'  See  their  reasons  at  large  in  the  publication  entitled  Impartial 
Inquiry  into  the  Slate  and  Utility  of  the  Province  of  Georgia,  Lond. 
1741 ;  or  in  Collections  of  the  Georgia  Historical  Society,  Vol.  I. 
pages  166-173,  and  McCall's  History,  Vol.  I.  p.  25,  &c. 


GOVERNOR  BELCHER'S  LETTER.      ]03 

It  is  remarked  by  Mr.  Burke,  that  "  These  reg- 
ulations, though  well  intended,  and  indeed  meant 
to  bring  about  very  excellent  purposes,  yet  might 
at  first,  as  it  did  afterwards,  appear,  that  they  were 
made  without  sufficiently  consulting  the  nature  of 
the  country,  or  the  disposition  of  the  people  which 
they  regarded."  ^ 

Governor  Belcher,  of  Massachusetts,  in  a  letter 
to  Lord  Egmont,  observes,  "  I  have  read  Mr.  Ogle- 
thorpe's state  of  the  new  colony  of  Georgia  once 
and  again  ;  and  by  its  harbors,  rivers,  soil  and  pro- 
ductions, do  not  doubt  that  it  must  in  time  make  a 
fine  addition  to  the  British  Empire  in  America ;  and 
1  still  insist  upon  it  that  the  prohibitory  regulations 
of  the.  Trustees  are  essential  to  its  healthy  and 
prosperous  condition ;  and  the  alteration  of  the 
Constitution  to  the  advantage  of  females  must  give 
great  encouragement  to  first  undertakers  or  settlers, 
as  your  Lordship  observes."  ^ 

The  visit  of  the  Indians  was  made  subservient  to 
the  favorite  purpose  of  Oglethorpe,  by  rousing 
attention  to  the  improvement  of  the  race  in  knowl- 
edge and  religion.    At  their  earliest  interviews  with 

*  European  Settlements  in  America,  Vol.  IL  p.  266. 

*  Letter  Book,  in  the  archives  of  the  Massachusetts  Historical 
Society,  Vol.  V.  p.  254. 


104    MANUAL  OF  INSTRUCTION  FOR  THE  INDIANS. 

him,  thej  had  expressed  a  wish  that  their  children 
might  be  taught  to  speak  and  read  the  Enghsh  lan- 
guage, and  they  themselves  instructed  in  the  prin- 
ciples of  Christianity.  From  their  intercourse  with 
the  Carolinians  for  many  years,  they  had  been  made 
sensible  of  the  superiority  which  such  attainments 
conferred,  even  where  that  intercourse  had  been, 
as  it  mostly  was,  with  the  traders ;  but  no  mission- 
ary had  been  sent,  as  in  our  times,  to  form  them  to 
civilization,  and  "  teach  them  which  be  the  first 
principles  of  the  oracles  of  God."  Oglethorpe  felt 
extremely  desirous  of  obtaining  for  them  these  ad- 
vantages ;  and  expressed  to  the  trustees  his  belief 
that  they  would  readily  avail  themselves  of  an 
opportunity  for  their  attainment.  In  furtherance  of 
this  most  important  object,  he  apphed  to  the  Rev- 
erend Dr.  Wilson,  Bishop  of  Sodor  and  Man,  to 
prepare  a  manual  of  instruction  for  them.  The 
good  Bishop  complied  with  his  request  with  great 
readiness  ;  and  the  work  was  printed  at  the  expense 
of  "  the  Society  for  propagating  the  Gospel  in 
foreign  Parts."  The  volume  was  dedicated  to  the 
Trustees  ;  and,  in  the  preface,  the  author  states 
that  it  "  was  undertaken  in  consequence  of  a  short 
but  entertaining  conversation,  which  he,  and  some 
others,  had  with  the  honorable  and  worthy  Gen- 
eral Oglethorpe,  concerning  the  condition,  temper, 


BISHOP  WILSON.  105 

and  genius  of  the  Indians  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Georgia,  and  those  parts  of  America ;  who,  as  he 
assured  us,  are  a  tractable  people,  and  more  capable 
of  being  civilized  and  of  receiving  the  truths  of  reli- 
gion than  we  are  generally  made  to  believe,  if  some 
hindrances  were  removed,  and  proper  measures 
taken  to  awaken  in  them  a  sense  of  their  true  in- 
terest, and  of  their  unhappy  condition,  while  they 
continue  in  their  present  state." 

"And,  indeed,  that  most  worthy  gentleman's  great 
and  generous  concern  for  both  the  present  and  future 
interest  of  these  nations,  and  his  earnest  desire  and 
endeavors,  so  well  known,  to  civilize  them  first, 
and  make  them  more  capable  of  instruction  in  the 
ways  of  religion  and  civil  government,  and  his 
hearty  wishes  that  something  might  be  done  to  for- 
ward such  good  purposes,  prevailed  with  the  author, 
however  indifferently  qualified  for  such  a  work,  to 
set  about  the  following  essay  for  propagating  the 
Gospel  amongst  the  Indians  and  negroes."^ 

On  receiving  a  copy  of  this  work,  when  it  was 
printed,  five  years  afterwards,  from  the  Reverend 

*  The  title  of  the  book  is,  "  The  Knowledge  and  Practice  of  Chris- 
tianity made  easy  to  the  meanest  capacity ;  or,  an  Essay  toicards 
an  Instruction  for  the  Indians."  London,  1740.  12mo.  A  tenth 
edition  was  printed  in  1764;  and  a  translation  in  French,  at  Gene- 
va, in  1744. 

14 


106  OGLETHORPE'S  LETTER. 

Dr.  Thomas  Wilson,  son  of  the  Bishop,  Oglethorpe 
addressed  to  him  the  following  letter :  ^ 

"  Frederica,  in  Georgia,  April  24,  1741. 

"  Sir, 

"  I  have  received,  with  not  less  pleasure  than 
profit,  the  book  sent  to  me  by  you,  which  was 
composed  by  your  father.  This  work  breathes  so 
strongly  the  spirit  of  primitive  piety ;  its  style  is  so 
clear  and  simple  ;  its  plan  is  so  easy  for  minds 
even  the  most  limited,  and  at  the  same  time  so 
well  adapted  to  make  them  understand  the  most 
profound  mysteries,  that  it  is  a  true  representation 
of  the  religion  in  which  it  instructs  its  reader. 
Had  our  Methodists,  instead  of  their  lofty  imagina- 
tions, been  taught  enough  of  the  language  of  the 
Indians  to  be  able  to  translate  this  book ;  or  had 
they  been  sufficiently  instructed  to  permit  them  to 
read  it  with  advantage,  I  doubt  not  that  we  should 
immediately  see  surprising  results  from  it ;  but  God 
will  accomplish  his  good  work  by  the  means  which 
he  will  judge  proper  to  employ. 

"  I  have  written  to  Mr.  Varelst  to  buy,  to  the 
amount  of  five  pounds  sterling,  copies  of  your 
father's  work,  and  to  send  them  to  me. 

'  Not  finding  an  English  copy  I  have  translated  this  from  the 
French  version. 


INTENDED  MISSIONARIES.  JQ? 

"  Have  the  kindness  to  commend  me  to  the 
prayers  of  a  Divine  so  worthy  and  pious  ;  and  be 
assured  that  1  am, 

"  Your  affectionate  friend, 
and  very  humble  and  obedient  servant, 

"  James  Oglethorpe." 

The  Trustees  were  now  desirous  of  obtaining 
proper  persons  to  go  to  Georgia  to  teach,  and  en- 
deavor to  convert,  the  Indians ;  and  to  officiate  as 
chaplains  to  the  colonists  at  Savannah,  and  at  the 
new  town  about  to  be  built  on  the  island  of  St. 
Simons.  They  fixed  their  eyes  upon  Mr.  John 
Wesley  and  some  of  his  associates,  as  very  proper 
for  such  a  mission.  The  amiable  and  excellent 
Dr.  John  Burton,^  one  of  the  Board,  who  was  well 
acquainted  with  Wesley,  having  learned  that  he 
was  in  London,  went  thither  himself,  in  order  to 
accompany  him  to  Oglethorpe,  with  whom,  indeed, 

'  When  the  settling  of  Georgia  was  in  agitation,  in  1732,  Dr. 
Burton  was  solicited  by  the  excellent  Dr.  Bray,  and  other  Episcopal 
Clergymen,*  to  give  his  assistance  in  promoting  that  undertaking. 
Accordingly  he  preached  a  Sermon  in  its  recommendation  before 
the  Society  for  conducting  it ;  and  his  Discourse  was  afterwards 
published,  with  an  Appendix  concerning  the  State  of  the  Colony. 
Bentham,  de  vita  et  moribus  Johannis  Burtoni.  8vo.  London, 
1771,  page  12. 

*  Rev.  Dr.  Hales,  Dr.  Berriman,  and  others. 


108        WESLEYS,  INGHAM,  AND  DELAMOTTE. 

he  was  already  acquainted  by  family  attentions  as 
well  as  public  fame.  The  matter  was  ])ro posed  to 
Wesley,  and  strongly  urged  by  such  arguments  as 
they  thought  most  likely  to  dispose  his  mind  to 
accept  the  proposal.'  Several  influential  friends 
concurred  in  advising  him  to  go  ;  and,  as  even  his 
mother  encouraged  it,  he  yielded  his  compliance. 
His  brother  Charles  agreed  to  accompany  him,  as 
did  Benjamin  Ingham,  a  member  of  their  associa- 
tion at  Oxford,  and  Charles  Delamotte,  son  of  a 
merchant  in  London. 

In  consequence  of  this  engagement  of  the  Wes- 
leys,  the  General  deemed  it  highly  proper  to  visit 
their  venerable  and  excellent  parents  at  Epworth, 
not  only  to  confirm  their  consent,  but  to  communi- 
cate to  them  such  information  as  should  interest 
them  strongly  in  every  measure  which  aimed  at  the 
instruction,  civilization,  and  christianizing  of  the 
natives  of  Georgia,  from  whom  he  and  the  new 
settlers  had  met  so  kind  a  reception.  A  reference 
to  this,  gives  me  the  opportunity  of  introducing  a 
letter  from  that  aged  minister,  the  Reverend  Sam- 
uel Wesley,  written  rather  more  than  a  year  before, 
in  which  he  mentions  the  progress  which  he  had 

'  Life  of  the  Rev.  John  Wesley,  and  of  the  Rev.  Chakles  Wes- 
ley, his  brother,  by  the  Rev.  Henry  Moore.  8vo.  Lond.  1824. 
2  vol.  Vol.  I.  p.  334.  This  interview  was  on  the  28th  of  April,  1735. 


SAMUEL  WESLEY.  109 

made  in  a  work  that  he  was  about  to  publish,  and 
acknowledges  the  obligations  which  he  was  under 
to  the  General  for  kindnesses  shown  to  himself  and 
sons.^ 

"  Epworth,  July  6,  1734. 

"  Honored  Sir, 

"  May  I  be  admitted,  while  such  crowds  of  our 
nobility  and  gentry  are  pouring  in  their  congratu- 
lations, to  press  with  my  poor  mite  of  thanks  into 
the  presence  of  one  who  so  well  deserves  the  title 

of   UNIVERSAL    BENEFACTOR  OF  MANKIND.       It  is  UOt 

only  your  valuable  favors  on  many  accounts  to  my 
son,  late  of  Westminster,  and  myself,  when  I  was 
not  a  little  pressed  in  the  world,  nor  your  more 
extensive  charity  to  the  poor  prisoners ;  it  is  not 
these  only  that  so  much  demand  my  warmest  ac- 
knowledgments, as  your  disinterested  and  immov- 
able attachment  to  your  country,  and  your  raising  a 
new  Colony,  or  rather  a  little  world  of  your  own  in 
the  midst  of  wild  woods  and  uncultivated  deserts, 
where  men  may  live  free  and  happy,  if  they  are 
not  hindered  by  their  own  stupidity  and  folly,  in 
spite  of  the  unkindness  of  their  brother  mortals. 
"  I  owe  you,  sir,  besides  this,  some  account  of 

^  This  letter  is  not  in  the  "  Memoirs  of  the  Wesley  Family,"  pub- 
lished by  Dr.  Adam  Clarke  in  1822 ;  having  been  recently  dis- 
covered. 


110  LETTER  TO   OGLETHORPE. 

my  little  affairs  since  the  beginning  of  your  expedi- 
tion. Notwithstanding  my  own  and  my  son's  vio- 
lent illness,  which  held  me  half  a  year,  and  him 
above  twelve  months,  I  have  made  a  shift  to  get 
more  than  three  parts  in  four  of  my  Dissertations 
on  Job  printed  oif,  and  both  the  paper,  printing, 
and  maps,  hitherto,  paid  for.  My  son  John  at  Ox- 
ford, now  that  his  elder  brother  has  gone  to  Tiver- 
ton, takes  care  of  the  remainder  of  the  impression 
at  London,  and  I  have  an  ingenious  artist  here 
with  me  in  my  house  at  Epworth  who  is  graving 
and  working  off  the  remaining  maps  and  figures 
for  me  ;  so  that  I  hope,  if  the  printer  does  not 
hinder  me,  I  shall  have  the  whole  ready  by  next 
spring,  and,  by  God's  leave,  I  shall  be  in  London 
myself  to  deliver  the  books  perfect.  I  print  five 
hundred  copies,  as  in  my  proposals  ;  whereof  I  have 
about  three  hundred  already  subscribed  for  ;  and, 
among  my  subscribers,  fifteen  or  sixteen  English 
Bishops,  with  some  of  Ireland. 

"  If  you  will  please  herewith  to  accept  the  tender 
of  my  most  sincere  respect  and  gratitude,  you  will 
thereby  confer  one  further  obligation,  honored  sir, 
on 

"  Your  most  obedient  and  humble  servant, 

"  Samuel  Wesley." 

"  To  James  Oglethorpe,  Esq." 


POETICAL  RHAPSODY.  \\l 

It  appears,  from  a  list  of  subscriptions  annexed 
to  Mr.  Wesley's  Dissertations  07i  the  Book  of  Job, 
that  General  Oglethorpe  took  seven  copies  of  the 
work  on  large  paper,  which  would  amount  to  at 
least  twenty  pounds. 

The  elder  son  of  the  Rector,  also,  paid  a  tribute 
of  respect  to  the  General ;  and  this  in  harmonious 
and  polished  verses  ;  in  which,  however,  he  in- 
dulged, too  freely,  the  poetic  license  in  highly 
wrought  description  of  the  settlement  of  Georgia, 
and  of  the  climate  and  productions  of  the  region.^ 

As  our  narrative  is  brought  near  to  the  period 
when  the  General  is  about  to  return  thither,  it  may 
be  pertinent  to  introduce  a  short  extract,  in  which 
the  poet  addresses  the  new  settlers,  eagerly  expect- 
ing his  arrival. 

"  See  once  again,  see  on  your  shores  descend 
Your  generous  leader,  your  unwearied  friend  ! 
No  storm  or  chance  his  vessel  thither  drives, 
No  !  to  secure  and  bless  you,  he  arrives. 

*  Georgia,  a  Poem  ;  Tomo  Chichi,  an  Ode  ;  and  a  copy  of  Verses 
on  Mr.  Oglethorpe's  Second  Voyage  to  Georgia.  These  were 
beautifully  printed,  in  a  large  type,  on  nineteen  folio  pages.  They 
were  ascribed  to  Samuel  Wesley,  as  their  author,  in  the  tract  en- 
titled "  True  and  Historical  Narrative  of  the  Colony  of  Georgia,  by 
P.  Telfair  and  others.  Charlestown,  S.  C.  1741,  page  xi.  of  the 
Preface. 


112  ON  OGLETHORPE'S  RETURN. 

To  Heaven  the  praise, —  and  thanks  to  him  repay, 

And  let  remotest  times  respect  the  day. 

He  comes,  whose  life,  while  absent  from  your  view, 

Was  one  continued  ministry  for  you  ; 

For  you  he  laid  out  all  his  pains  and  art. 

Won  every  will,  and  softened  every  heart. 

With  what  paternal  joy  shall  he  relate 

How  views  the  mother  Isle  your  little  State  ; 

How  aids  the  Senate,  how  the  nation  loves. 

How  George  protects,  and  Caroline  approves  I  — 

A  thousand  pleasures  crowd  into  his  breast. 

But  one,  one  mighty  thought  absorbs  the  rest, 

'And  give  me.  Heaven,  to  see,  (the  Patriot  cries), 

Another  Britain  in  the  desert  rise ! '  " 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

Trustees  make  a  new  selection  of  Settlers  —  Their  Proposals  suc- 
cessful in  Scotland  —  Embarkation  of  Highlanders  for  Georgia  — 
Indian  hieroglyphic  letter  sent  to  the  Trustees  —  Further  emigra- 
tion of  Saltzburgers  —  Great  embarkation  of  Colonists,  attended 
by  Oglethorpe  and  the  Missionaries  —  Employment  and  religious 
exercises  on  board  during  the  voyage  —  Arrival  —  Beacon  on  the 
Island  of  Tybee  —  The  people  go  on  shore  at  Peeper's  Island  — 
Oglethorpe  goes  to  Savannah  with  the  Missionaries  —  Sends 
provisions  and  refreshments  to  the  Emigrants  —  Moore's  account 
of  the  Public  Garden  —  Tomo  Chichi  welcomes  his  friend  — 
Saltzburgers  make  application  for  a  removal  from  Ebenezer  — 
Oglethorpe  sends  pioneers  to  lay  out  a  road  to  Darien. 

"  Some  of  the  first  settlers  had  proved  as  idle  and 
useless  members  of  society  in  America,  as  they  had 
been  in  Great  Britain  ;"  and,  as  their  external  wants 
had  been  supplied  from  the  common  store,  they 
felt  no  stimulus  to  industry  or  frugality. 

The  Trustees,  finding  that  the  conduct  of  these 
drones  and  loungers  tended  rather  to  impede  than 
promote  their  benevolent  intentions,  began  to  look 

15 


114     NEW  SELECTION  OF  SETTLERS. 

round  for  a  better  stock  of  settlers  ;  a  hardy  race, 
with  good  liabits  ;  such  as  were  accustomed  to 
laborious  occupation  and  agricultural  pursuits. 

That  all  persons  who  should  be  disposed  to  go 
to  Georgia,  might  be  fully  apprized  of  the  several 
conditions  which  they  were  to  perform,  and  of  what 
was  expected,  and,  indeed,  would  be  required  of 
them,  in  return  for  the  assistance  and  support  that 
would  be  afforded  them,  a  statement  was  made, 
and  rules  and  regulations  were  drawn  up,  printed 
and  circulated  ;  in  which  the  Trustees  indicated 
the  qualifications  of  such  as  offered  themselves,  with 
the  expectation  of  being  engaged.*  They  examined, 
at  their  office,  such  persons  as  applied  for  the  benefit 
of  the  charity ;  and,  out  of  these  selected  those  who 
had  the  best  characters,  and  were  the  truest  and 
most  deserving  objects  of  compassion.^  They  very 
explicitly  and  frankly  acquainted  the  applicants 
with  the  inconveniences  to  which  they  would  be 
subjected,  and  the  hardships  which  they  must  ex- 
pect to  endure.  They  told  them  that  on  their  ar- 
rival they  would  be  under  the  necessity  of  living  in 
slight  hovels,  till  they  could  form  materials  for  the 
construction  of  houses  ;  that  they  must  use  great 

'  Account,  shewing  the  Progress  of  the  Colony  of  Georgia.     Lond. 
1741.     Appendix  to  the  Volume,  No.  3  and  4. 
*  Moore's  Voyage,  page  10. 


COUNSEL  TO   SETTLERS.  115 

provident  foresight  to  acquire  comfortable  subsist- 
ence, for  their  wants  were  to  be  supplied  only  till 
their  industry  brought  in  returns.  They  remarked 
to  them  that  they,  indeed,  gave  them  lands,  and  fur- 
nished them  rations  for  a  year,  but  these  lands  were 
to  be  cleared  up  and  tilled,  in  order  to  yield  crops  ; 
that  they  must  eat  salt  meat,  and  drink  only  beer 
or  water.  They  reminded  them,  with  solemn  cau- 
tion, that  the  sicknesses,  to  which  a  change  of 
climate  would  expose  them,  were  most  dangerous 
to  those  who  drank  distilled  liquors  ;  so  that  tem- 
perance, which  was  every  w^here  commendable  and 
salutary,  would  be  absolutely  necessary  to  preserve 
health.  Finally,  they  were  plainly  told  that  if  they 
were  distrustful,  or  reluctant  at  putting  forth  their 
strenuous  exertions,  they  must  not  engage  in  the 
undertaking. 

Several  were  disheartened ;  but  their  place  was 
soon  filled  up  by  others,  who  thought  these  difficul- 
ties not  very  great ;  and  that,  whatever  they  might 
be,  they  could  encounter  them  ;  and  that  they 
could  submit  to  temporary  inconveniences,  and  per- 
severe in  efforts,  stimulated  by  the  proffered  en- 
couragement and  aid. 

In  Scotland  the  proposals  of  the  Trustees  met 
with  such  success  that,  at  Inverness  and  its  vicinity, 
one  hundred  and  thirty  Highlanders  were  enrolled 


116  SCOTCH  HIGHLANDERS. 

for  emigration.  These,  with  fifty  women  and  child- 
ren, were  transported  to  Georgia,  where  they  ar- 
rived in  the  month  of  January,  1735 ;  and  with 
them  came  several  private  grantees,  with  their  ser- 
vants. The  Scots  were  destined  to  settle  on  the 
frontiers,  for  the  protection  and  defence  of  the 
province.  After  tarrying  a  few  days  at  Savannah, 
they  conveyed  themselves  in  periaguas,  to  the  south- 
ward ;  and,  ascending  the  Alatamaha  river  about 
sixteen  miles  from  St.  Simons,  pitched  upon  a  place 
for  a  residence,  where  they  soon  raised  a  little  fort, 
in  which  they  mounted  four  pieces  of  cannon. 
They,  also,  built  a  guard-house,  a  store,  and  a 
chapel,  for  they  brought  a  pastor  with  them ;  and 
soon  put  up  several  huts  for  temporary  accommo- 
dation, till  they  could  prepare  and  erect  commo- 
dious dwellings.  The  location,  at  their  desire, 
was  called  "  Darien  ;"  which  name  the  District 
still  bears,  and  the  town  they  called  "  New  Inver- 
ness," a  name  no  longer  retained.^ 

While  Oglethorpe  was  in  England,  what  was 
intended  for  a  letter  was  sent  over  to  the  Trustees. 
It  was  composed  by  a  chief  of  the  Cherokees, 
drawn  and  curiously  marked  in  red  and  black  fig- 
ures on  the  skin  of  a  young  buffi^lo,  neatly  dressed. 

'  In  the  early  publications  this  is  written  with  the  article  —  "  the 
Darien." 


INDIAN  HIEROGLYPHIC  LETTER.  1|7 

A  translation  into  English  had  been  made  from  the 
Indian  interpretation,  when  first  delivered,  in  the 
presence  of  above  fifty  of  their  chiefs,  and  of  the 
principal  inhabitants  of  Savannah.  It  contained 
the  grateful  acknowledgment  of  the  Indians  of  the 
honors  and  civilities  shown  to  Tomo  Chichi  and  his 
companions ;  their  admiration  of  the  grandeur  of 
the  British  Court  and  kingdom  ;  and  declared  their 
strong  attachment  to  General  Oglethorpe. 

This  hieroglyphic  painting  was  set  in  a  frame, 
and  hung  up  in  the  Georgia  office  in  Westminster.^ 

To  provide  for  the  raising  of  silk-worms  and 
winding  the  thread  from  the  cocoons,  was  an  early 
purpose  of  the  Trustees.  Liberal  encouragement 
was  given  by  the  Government  and  the  Board  of 
Trade  to  the  importation  of  all  that  could  be  pro- 
duced. Samples  had  been  sent  to  England  which 
gave  promise  of  success.  In  the  beginning  of  May, 
this  year,  the  Trustees  and  Sir  Thomas  Lombe, 
waited  on  the  Queen  with  a  specimen,  who  was 
highly  gratified  with  learning  that  a  British  Colony 
had  produced  such  silk,  and  desired  that  the  fabric 
into  which  it  should  be  wrought  might  be  shewn 
her.  Accordingly,  on  the  21st  of  October,  these 
gentlemen,    with  Mr.   Booth,   the   weaver,    again 

'  American    Gazetteer.    Lond.    1762.     12mo.    Vol.    II.,    article 
"  Georgia." 


118  QUEEN'S   SILK  DRESS. 

waited  on  her  Majesty  with  a  piece  of  the  manu- 
factured silk ;  and  she  expressed  great  admiration 
of  the  beauty  and  fineness  of  the  silk,  and  the  rich- 
ness of  the  pattern  ;  and,  as  a  further  testimony  of 
her  satisfaction  both  with  the  produce  and  the  man- 
ufacture, she  ordered  a  suit  to  be  made  up  imme- 
diately for  her  own  wear,  in  which  she  appeared 
on  her  birth-day.^  To  this,  a  poet  of  the  time,  in 
a  description  of  the  products  of  Georgia,  thus  al- 
ludes — 

"  The  merchant  hence  the  unwrought  silk  imports, 
To  which  we  owe  the  attire  of  Queens  and  Courts."  ' 

A  large  number  of  intended  emigrants  having 
been  enrolled,  Oglethorpe  had  been  most  busily  en- 
gaged for  several  months  in  making  preparations 
for  their  embarkation.  Various  tools  were  to  be 
collected,  suits  and  changes  of  raiment  prepared, 
articles  of  maintenance  selected  and  packed  for  the 
public  store  at  Savannah,  and  accommodations  and 
provisions  got  ready  for  the  voyage.  The  inde- 
fatigable leader  of  the  expedition  gave  his  personal 
attendance  and  directions,  and  saw  that  every  thing 
was  in  the  train  of  accomplishment,  aided  by  the 

*  Political  State  of  Europe,  Vol.  L.  p.  242,  and  469. 

*  New  Voyage  to  Georgia,  p.  61. 


GREAT   EMBARKATION.  n9 

services  and  supervision  of  Mr.  Francis  Moore, 
whom  the  Trustees  had  appointed  keeper  of  the 
stores.  Oglethorpe  had  become  acquainted  with 
this  gentleman  as  Factor  to  the  Royal  African  So- 
ciety, and  as  having  had  the  charge  of  Job  Jalla 
ben  Solomon,  the  African  Prince,  whom  the  Com- 
pany sent  back  to  Africa. 

There  were  two  ships  freighted,  the  Symond,  of 
two  hundred  and  twenty  tons,  Captain  Joseph  Cor- 
nish, master  ;  and  the  London  Merchant,  of  about 
the  same  burden,  Captain  John  Thomas,  master ; 
and  one  of  his  Majesty's  sloops,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Captain  James  Gascoigne,  was  ordered  to 
assist  the  Colony,  and  carry  over  the  General,  who 
intended  to  inspect  the  settlement ;  but  he  chose 
to  go  in  one  of  the  ships,  though  crowded  with  the 
emigrants,  "  that  he  might  be  able  to  take  care  of 
the  people  on  the  passage." 

"  The  whole  embarkation  amounted  to  two 
hundred  and  twenty  people  on  the  Trust's  account, 
besides  Mr.  Oglethorpe  and  the  gentlemen  with 
him,  and  his  servants,  whose  passage  he  himself 
paid." ' 

'  Voyage  to  Georgia,  begun  in  the  year  1735  ;  by  Francis  Moore, 
8vo.  London,  1744,  page  11.  The  author  accompanied  General 
Oglethorpe  on  what  is  called  "  the  great  embarkation,"  as  keeper  of 
the  stores.    The  first  date  in  the  book  is  "  15th  of  October,  1735," 


120  SECOND  EMBARKATION. 

Among  the  adventurers  in  tliis  embarkation, 
lured  by  the  accounts  whicli  had  been  published  in 
England,  of  the  delightful  region  of  Georgia,  were 
Sir  Francis  Bathurst,  his  son,  three  daughters,  and 
servants  ;  as  also  several  relatives  of  the  planters 
already  settled  there.' 

I  copy  from  Boyer^s  Political  State  of  Great  Bri- 
tain,^ the  following  particulars.  "  On  the  13th  of 
October,  1735,  embarked  on  board  the  London 
Merchant,  Captain  Thomas,  commander,  fifty-six 
men,  women,  and  children,  Saltzburgers,  and  some 
other  persecuted  protestants  from  Germany,  with 
Mr.  Von  Reck,  who  conducted  from  the  same  parts 
a  former  transport  in  1733,  and  Captain  Herms- 
dorf,    going  to   settle   with  their   countrymen    in 

and  the  last,  "22d  of  June,  1736."  He  resided  at  St.  Simons,  and 
was  "  Recorder  at  Frederica."  By  an  advertisement,  at  the  end  of 
this  volume,  we  learn  that  he  made  another  voyage  to  Georgia  in 
1738,  where  he  continued  till  1743,  when  he  returned  to  England. 
During  his  residence,  he  kept  a  Journal,  "in  which  is  an  account  of 
the  siege  of  St,  Augustine,  in  1740,  and  of  the  Spanish  invasion,  in 
1742.  He  adds,  "  I  think  myself  obliged  to  acquaint  the  public  that 
if  I  find  the  foregoing  well  received,  I  shall,  without  delay,  publish 
my  other  Journal,  as,  also,  a  continuance  of  this,  containing  the 
treaty  with  the  Governor  of  Augustine,  and  the  regulation  of  sev- 
eral matters,  relating  to  the  Indian  nations."  That  the  Journal 
was  not  published  is  greatly  to  be  regretted. 

'  Salmon's  Modern  History,  Vol.  III.  p.  602. 

*  Vol.  L.  page  468. 


EMIGRANTS  EMBARK.  121 

Georgia.  The  charge  of  their  subsistence  in  their 
long  journey  from  Ratisbon  and  Augsburg  to  Rot- 
terdam, and  from  thence  to  London,  and  their  ex- 
pense at  London  till  they  went  on  board,  was  de- 
frayed by  the  Society  for  the  propagation  of  the  Gos- 
pel in  foreign  Parts,  out  of  the  collections  commit- 
ted to  them  for  that  purpose.  Of  this  Society 
Oglethorpe  was  a  member.  The  charge  of  their 
voyage  to  Georgia,  with  their  maintenance  there 
for  one  year,  and  for  the  arms,  utensils,  and  other 
necessary  articles  and  provisions  which  they  took 
from  hence  with  them,  was  defrayed  by  the  honor- 
able Trustees  for  establishing  the  colony. 

"  The  next  day  James  Oglethorpe,  Esq.,  set  out 
by  land  for  Gravesend,  and  the  Reverend  Mr.  John 
Wesley,  Fellow  of  Lincoln  College,  Oxford,  and 
the  Reverend  Mr.  Charles  Wesley,  Student  of 
Christ's  Church  College,  and  the  Reverend  Mr. 
Ingham,  of  Queen's,  went  thither  by  water,  in  or- 
der to  embark  on  board  the  Symond,  Captain  Cor- 
nish, Commander  ;  on  board  of  which  ship  went 
likewise  a  great  number  of  poor  English  families, 
at  the  expense  of  the  trustees  ;  and  soon  after 
these,  two  ships  sailed  together  in  company  for 
Georgia.  One  of  the  above  named  clergymen  is 
to  settle  at  the  new  town  of  Savannah,  in  that  col- 
ony ;  and  the  other  two  intend,  (after  some  stay  at 
16 


122  OF  THE  CLERICAL  MISSIONARIES. 

Savannah,  to  learn  the  Indian  language,)  to  devote 
themselves  to  preaching  the  Gospel  of  our  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ  to  the  Indian  nations  bordering  upon 
that  colony ;  which  might  certainly  be  done  with 
great  effect,  if  men  would  but  content  themselves 
with  inculcating  and  enforcing  the  rational  and  plain 
doctrines  taught  by  Christ  himself,  without  pre- 
tending to  explain  what  have  since  been  called  the 
mysteries  of  the  Christian  religion,  which  serve  only 
to  divide  Christians  among  themselves,  and  have 
very  much  prevented  the  conversion  of  heathens  in 
all  countries,  and  in  all  ages." 

As  the  periodical  publication,  from  which  this 
paragraph  is  extracted,  was  the  channel  through 
which  official  information  respecting  the  settlement 
and  affairs  of  Georgia  was  communicated,  the  sug- 
gestion with  which  it  is  closed  is  to  be  understood 
as  the  opinion  of  the  Trustees.  And  when  we  re- 
collect the  character  of  those  who  composed  the 
Board,  it  may  be  considered  as  the  dictate  of  sound 
judgment,  and  worthy  of  heedful  observance. 

The  attention  of  Oglethorpe  to  the  persons  and 
condition  of  the  emigrants,  was  assiduous,  consid- 
erate, and  kind.  "  He  had  laid  in  a  large  quantity 
of  live  stock  and  various  refreshments,  though  he 
himself  seldom  eat  any  but  ship's  provisions.  Not 
only  the  gentlemen,  his  friends,  sat  at  his  table,  but 


SERVICES  ON  BOARD.  123 

he  invited,  through  the  whole  of  the  passage,  the 
missionaries  and  the  captain  of  the  ship,  who,  to- 
gether made  twelve  in  number."^ 

They  had  prayers  twice  a  day.  The  missiona- 
ries expounded  the  scriptures,  catechized  the  child- 
ren, and  administered  the  sacrament  on  Sundays  ; 
but,  though  the  crew  consisted  of  Episcopalians, 
Methodists,  German  Lutherans,  and  Moravians, 
"  Oglethorpe  showed  no  discountenance  to  any  for 
being  of  different  persuasions  of  religion." 

"  When  occasion  offered,  he  called  together  those 
who  designed  to  be  freeholders,  and  instructed 
them  in  what  manner  to  behave  themselves,  and 
acquainted  them  with  the  nature  of  the  country, 
and  how  to  settle  it  advantageously.  He  con- 
stantly visited  the  sick,  and  let  them  have  fowls  for 
broth,  and  any  refreshments  of  his  own ;  and  ad- 
ministered medicine,  personally,  where  it  was  pro- 
per. Whenever  the  weather  was  calm  enough  to 
permit  it,  he  went  on  board  the  London  Merchant, 
with  which  company  was  kept  all  the  way,  to  see 
that  the  like  care  was  taken  of  the  people  there."  ~ 

The  Journal  of  Wesley  gives  many  details  of  the 
voyage  ;  but,  as  they  relate  principally  to  the  man- 
ner in  which  he  and  his  brother  and  two  friends 

'  Moore's  Voyage,  p.  11.'  *  Moore,  p.  12. 


124       ANECDOTE  OF  OGLETHORPE. 

spent  their  time,  I  pass  them  over,  but  quote  the 
following  anecdote  from  one  of  his  biographers.* 
"  Mr.  Wesley  hearing  an  unusual  noise  in  the  cabin 
of  General  Oglethorpe,  stepped  in  to  inquire  the 
cause  of  it.  On  which  the  General  thus  addressed 
him :  '  Mr.  Wesley  you  must  excuse  me.  I  have 
met  with  a  provocation  too  much  for  a  man  to  bear. 
You  know  that  the  only  wine  I  drink  is  Cyprus 
wine,  as  it  agrees  with  me  the  best  of  any.  I  there- 
fore provided  myself  with  several  dozens  of  it,  and 
this  villain  Grimaldi '  (his  foreign  servant,  who 
stood  trembling  with  fear,)  has  drunk  up  the  whole 
of  it.  But  I  will  be  revenged  on  him.  I  have 
ordered  him  to  be  tied  hand  and  foot,  and  carried 
to  the  man  of  war  that  sails  with  us.  The  rascal 
should  have  taken  care  not  to  have  served  me  so, 
for  I  never  forgive.'  —  'Then  I  hope,  sir,'  (said 
Wesley,  looking  calmly  at  him)  '  you  never  sin.' 
The  General  was  confounded  at  the  reproof ;  and, 
putting  his  hand  into  his  pocket,  took  out  a  bunch 
of  keys,  which  he  threw  at  Grimaldi,  saying,  'There, 
take  my  keys,  and  behave  better  for  the  future  ! '  " 
While  this  was  a  happy  verification  of  the  remark 
of  the  wise  man,  that  "  a  soft  answer  turneth  away 
wrath,"  it  is  a  pleasing  indication  of  the  yielding 

'  Rev.  Henry  Moore,  Vol.  H.  p.  258. 


TYBEE  LIGHT-HOUSE.  125 

placability  of  him  to  whom  it  was  addressed.  — 
"  The  discretion  of  a  man  deferreth  his  anger,  and 
it  is  his  glory  to  pass  over  a  transgression." 

The  ships,  which  bore  this  large  accession  to  the 
Colony,  passed  the  bar  of  the  Tybee  on  the  after- 
noon of  Thursday,  February  5th,  1736,  and  came 
to  anchor.  This  island  is  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Savannah  river ;  is  five  miles  long,  and  three  broad  ; 
and  is  the  most  easterly  land  in  the  State.  Ogle- 
thorpe went  immediately  on  shore,  to  see  what  had 
been  done  towards  raising  the  beacon  on  the  island, 
for  the  construction  of  which  he  had  given  orders. 
"  It  was  to  be  an  octagon  building  of  squared  tim- 
ber ;  its  dimensions  twenty-five  feet  wide  at  the 
bottom,  and  ten  at  the  top  ;  and  its  height  ninety 
feet,  with  a  flag-stafi"  on  the  top  thirty  feet  high. 
When  completed,  it  would  be  of  great  service  to 
all  shipping,  not  only  the  vessels  bound  to  this  port, 
but  also  to  Carolina ;  for  the  land  of  the  coast,  for 
some  hundred  miles,  is  so  alike,  being  low  and 
woody,  that  a  distinguishing  mark  is  of  great  con- 
sequence." ^ 

They  had  experienced  a  tempestuous  voyage, 
and  had  a  very  rough  passage  ;  but  now  the  weather 
was  fine ;  the  land  breezes  refreshed  them  as  the 

'  Moore's  Voyage^  p.  18. 


126  ARRIVAL  IN   THE   SAVANNAH. 

ships  lay  quietly  moored  ;  and  they  hailed  with 
delight  the  land  of  promise,  the  borders  of  which 
stretched  before  them  ;  where,  says  Wesley,  "  the 
groves  of  pines  along  the  shores  made  an  agreeable 
prospect,  showing,  as  it  were,  the  verdure  and 
bloom  of  spring  in  the  depth  of  winter."  A  night 
of  peaceful  slumber  passed  ;  and,  about  eight  o'clock 
on  Friday  morning,  they  went  ashore  on  a  small  un- 
inhabited island,^  where  Oglethorpe  led  them  to  a 
rising  ground,  and  they  all  knelt  and  returned  thanks 
to  God  for  their  safe  arrival.  Leaving  the  people, 
as  there  was  a  fine  spring,  and  a  pond  of  pure 
water,  to  wash  their  clothes,  and  refresh  them- 
selves, he  went  himself,  attended  by  his  suite,  in 
a  boat  to  Savannah,  where  he  was  received,  under 
the  discharge  of  all  their  cannon,  by  the  freeholders 
in  arms,  with  the  constables  and  tithing  men  at 
their  head.  He  introduced  to  them  the  clergymen 
and  gentlemen  by  whom  he  was  accompanied  ;  and 
congratulated  the  colonists  on  the  religious  advan- 
tages which  they  were  about  to  derive  from  these 
pious  missionaries  :  and  here  they  passed  the  Sun- 
day. Just  three  years  had  elapsed  since  the  settle- 
ment commenced,  and  the  celebration  of  the  anni- 
versary on  the  opening  week  was  rendered  more 

'  Peeper  Island. 


PLEASANT  RECEPTION.  127 

observable  and  gladdening  by  the  return  of  the 
founder  to  share  and  grace  the  festivities  of  the 
occasion.  But,  amidst  all  the  greetings  and  in- 
quiries of  the  throng  around  him,  he  was  not  un- 
mindful of  the  new  comers.  He  made  it  his  earliest 
care,  as  soon  as  the  articles  could  be  got  ready,  to 
send  a  boat  with  provisions  and  refreshments  for 
the  people  on  board  the  ships  and  at  the  island  ; 
and  soon  after  made  them  a  visit  himself,  and  car- 
ried with  him  a  still  further  supply  of  beef,  pork, 
venison  and  wild  turkeys,  together  with  soft  bread, 
beer,  turnips,  and  garden  greens.  This  was  not 
only  peculiarly  relishing,  after  the  salted  sea-fare 
rations,  but  gratifying  and  encouraging,  from  the 
evidence  it  gave  that  a  settlement,  begun  only  three 
years  ago,  by  a  people  in  circumstances  like  theirs, 
could  produce  such  plenty.  And,  while  these  atten- 
tions evinced  the  thoughtful  regard  of  their  con- 
ductor to  their  comfort  and  welfare,  they  increased 
their  sense  of  obligation,  awakened  their  gratitude, 
and  strengthened  their  reliance. 

As  Oglethorpe  went  round  and  visited  the  fami- 
lies in  their  dwellings,  he  was  gratified  with  per- 
ceiving what  improvements  had  been  made  in  the 
town,  and  its  vicinity ;  that  about  two  hundred 
houses  had  been  built,  trees  set  out  on  the  sides  of 
the  streets  and  public  squares  ;  and  a  large  garden 


12^  PUBLIC  GARDEN. 

laid  out,  and  now  under  cultivation.  This  had  en- 
gaged his  early  attention,  and  was  a  favorite  project, 
as  of  general  interest  and  utility.  It  was  situated 
at  the  east  of  the  town,  on  the  sloping  bank,  and 
included  the  alluvial  champaign  below.  It  was  laid 
out  with  regularity  and  taste ;  and  intended,  prima- 
rily, to  supply  the  settlers  with  legumes,  culinary 
roots,  radishes  and  salads,  till  they  could  prepare 
homestead-plats  for  raising  them.  The  principal 
purpose,  however,  was  for  a  nursery  of  white  mul- 
berry trees  for  the  raising  of  silk  worms ;  and  from 
which  the  people  could  be  supplied  with  young 
trees,  that  all  the  families  might  be  more  or  less 
engaged  in  this  reference  to  the  filature.  There 
was,  also,  a  nursery  coming  on,  of  apple,  pear, 
peach,  and  plum  trees,  for  transplantation.  On  the 
borders  of  the  walks  were  orange,  olive,  and  fig- 
trees,  pomegranates,  and  vines.  In  the  more  sunny 
part  there  was  a  collection  of  tropical  plants,  by  way 
of  experiment,  such  as  coffee,  cacoa,  cotton,  &c. 
together  with  some  medicinal  plants,  procured  by 
Dr.  William  Houston  in  the  West  Indies,  whither 
he  had  been  sent  by  Sir  Hans  Sloane  to  collect 
them  for  Georgia.  The  expenses  of  this  mission 
had  been  provided  by  a  subscription  headed  by  Sir 
Hans,  to  which  his  Grace  the  Duke  of  Richmond, 
the  Earl  of  Derby,  the  Lord  Peters,  and  the  Apoth- 


DEPUTATION  TO  PURRYSBURGH.  129 

ecaries  Company,  liberally  contributed.  The  Doc- 
tor having  died  at  Jamaica,  the  celebrated  botanist, 
Philip  Miller  was  now  his  successor.' 

All  hands  were  now  set  to  work,  some  to  pre- 
paring houses,  barracks,  and  lodgments  for  the  new 
comers  ;  some  to  unlade  the  vessels  and  store  the 
cargo,  and  some  to  extend  the  wharf.  The  Gen- 
eral, also,  made  a  contract  with  persons  for  laying 
out  and  clearing  the  roads,  and  for  making  fortifi- 
cations at  the  south. 

By  none,  perhaps,  was  his  return  more  cordially 
welcomed  than  by  Tomo  Chichi  and  Toonahowi. 
They  brought  with  them  two  Indian  runners,  who 
had  waited  two  months  to  give  notice  to  the  lower 
and  upper  Creeks,  of  his  arrival. 

He  received,  also,  the  visit  of  a  deputation  from 
Purrysburgh,  consisting  of  the  Honorable  Hector 
Berenger  de  Beaufain  and  M.  Tisley  Dechillon,  a 
patrician  of  Berne,  with  several  other  Swiss  gen- 
tlemen, to  congratulate  his  return,  and  acquaint 
him  with  the  condition  of  their  settlement. 

*  "  Sir  Hans  Sloane,"  says  Dr.  Pulteny,  "  was  zealous  in  pro- 
moting the  Colony  of  Georgia."  Historical  and  Biographical  Sketch 
of  the  Progress  of  Botany  in  England,  Vol.  II.  p.  85.  See  a  par- 
ticular description  of  the  garden,  in  Moore's  Voyage  to  Georgia, 
p.  30. 

17 


130  MORAVIAN  SETTLEMENT. 

The  United  Brethren,  or  Moravians,  as  they 
were  more  usually  called,  who  attended  the  other 
exiled  Protestants,  began  immediately  their  settle- 
ment near  to  Savannah.  As  soon  as  their  personal 
accommodation  could  be  effected,  they  sought  the 
acquaintance  of  Tomo  Chichi,  and  his  little  tribe  ; 
ingratiated  themselves  with  these  their  neighbors, 
and,  "  with  money  advanced  by  General  Ogle- 
thorpe," ^  built  a  school-house  for  the  children. 
"  This  school  was  called  Irene,  and  lay  not  far 
from  the  Indian  village."  ^ 

The  Baron  Von  Reck,  who  had  been  to  Ebene- 
zer,  returned  on  the  8th  of  February,  accompanied 
with  the  Pastors  Bolzius  and  Gronau,  with  the  pe- 
tition of  the  people  for  liberty  to  remove,  from  the 
fords  where  they  were,  to  a  place  ten  miles  to  the 
east  of  their  settlement,  called  "  Red-bluff,"  at  the 
mouth  of  the  river,  where  it  enters  the  Savannah  ; 
and  that  those  of  their  community  who  had  just 
arrived,  instead  of  being  destined  to  the  southward, 
might  be  united  with  them  and  enjoy  the  benefit 
of  their  religious  instructers  and  guides.  Before 
giving  a  decisive  answer,   Oglethorpe  deemed  it 

'  Carpzovius,  Examination  of  the  Religion  of  the  United  Breth- 
ren, p.  417.     See  Appendix,  No.  XVII. 

'  Cromz's  History  of  the  United  Brethren,  p.  226.  It  was  opened 
on  the  15th  of  September. 


OGLETHORPE  GOES  TO  EBENEZER.     ]3l 

proper  to  examine  their  situation,  and  confer  with 
the  residents  ;  and,  not  to  keep  them  in  suspense, 
especially  as  it  was  necessary  to  take  immediate 
measures  for  the  accommodation  of  the  new  comers, 
agreed  to  accompany  the  applicants  on  their  return. 
Accordingly,  he  set  out  early  on' the  appointed  day, 
.  in  the  scout-boat,  to  the  residence  of  Sir  Francis 
Bathurst,  six  miles  above  Savannah  ;  and  thence 
took  horse,  and  passed  by  the  saw-mill  set  up  by 
Mr.  Walter  Augustine,  and,  continuing  his  ride 
through  the  woods,  arrived  that  night  at  Ebenezer. 
On  reconnoitring  the  place  the  next  day,  he  found 
that  the  Saltzburgers  had  constructed  a  bridge  over 
the  river,  ten  feet  wide  and  eighty  feet  long  ;  that 
four  good  framed  houses  had  been  erected  at  the 
charge  of  the  Trustees,  one  for  each  minister,  one 
for  a  schoolmaster,  and  one  for  a  public  store  ;  and 
that  a  chapel,  a  guard-house,  and  a  number  of  split- 
board  houses  had  been  built  by  the  people.  All 
these,  however,  they  were  resolved  to  forsake,  and 
form  a  new  settlement  on  the  borders  of  the  Savan- 
nah river.  Their  chief  objection  to  remaining  was, 
that  the  land  was  not  good,  and  that  the  corn-har- 
vest had  failed ;  yet  they  acknowledged  that  they 
had  a  fine  crop  of  peas,  and  many  garden  vegeta- 
bles ;  that  their  cattle  thrived  exceedingly,  that 
they  had  plenty  of  milk,  and  fine  poultry  and  eggs. 


132     HONORABLE  CHARLES  DEMPSEY. 

He  endeavored  to  dissuade  them  from  moving ;  but, 
finding  their  dissatisfaction  with  their  present  situa- 
tion to  be  so  decided,  he  yielded  to  their  importu- 
nity ;  ordered  a  town  to  be  laid  out ;  and  gave  his 
unhesitating  consent  that  the  new  comers  should 
be  incorporated  with  them.  He  then  set  out  for 
the  Swiss  settlement,  where  he  arrived  in  the  even- 
ing. He  was  received  with  the  greatest  demon- 
strations of  joy,  and  took  lodgings  at  the  house  of 
Colonel  Purry,^  who  had  provided  a  handsome  en- 
tertainment for  him. 

The  chief  purpose  of  his  visit  to  this  place  was 
to  engage  a  conveyance  for  the  Honorable  Charles 
Dempsey  to  St.  Augustine.  This  gentleman  had 
come  over  with  him  in  the  Symond,  having  been 
commissioned  by  the  Spanish  Minister  in  London 
to  confer  with  the  Governor  of  Florida  on  the  sub- 
ject of  the  boundary  between  that  country  and 
Georgia,  and  to  effect  some  provisional  treaty  with 
General  Oglethorpe.^     A  contract  was  made  with 

'  John  Peter  Purry,  formerly  of  Neufchatel. 

'  In  the  Impartial  Inquiry,  &c.  p.  84,  is  a  deposition  which  thus 
begins — "Charles  Dempsey,  of  the  Parish  of  St.  Paul,  Covent 
Garden,  in  the  County  of  Middlesex,  Esquire,  aged  fifty-four  years 
and  upwards,  maketh  that  in  the  year  one  thousand  seven  hun- 
dred and  thirty-five,  this  deponent  went  with  the  Honorable  James 
Oglethorpe,  Esq.  to  Georgia,  in  America,  and  was  sent  from  thence 
by  the  said  Oglethorpe  to  St.  Augustine  with  letters  to  the  Gover- 


PIONEERS   SENT  TO   DARIEN.  133 

Major  Richard  to  conduct  this  gentleman  in  a  six- 
oared  boat,  being  the  best  to  be  obtained,  to  his 
destination ;  and  to  be  the  bearer  of  a  letter  from 
the  General,  expressing  his  wish  to  remove  all  mis- 
understanding and  jealousy. 

On  his  return  to  Savannah  he  sent  forward  Cap- 
tain Hugh  Mackay,  Jr.  with  a  company  of  rangers, 
to  travel  by  land  to  Darien,  in  order  to  make  ob- 
servations on  the  intervening  country,  to  compute 
the  distance,  and  to  judge  of  the  practicability  of  a 
passable  road ;  and  Tomo  Chichi  furnished  them 
with  Indian  guides. 

The  next  day  he  attended  a  military  review; 
after  which,  he  addressed  the  assembled  people  in 
an  animated  speech,  in  which  his  congratulations, 
counsels,  and  good  wishes  were  most  affectionately 
expressed.  And  he  reminded  them  that,  though 
it  was  yet  "  a  day  of  small  things,"  experience 
must  have  strengthened  the  inducements  to  indus- 
try and  economy,  by  shewing  them  that,  where 
they  had  been  regarded,  the  result  had  been  not 
only  competence,  but  thrift. 

He  then  took  leave  of  them,  and  went  down  to 
the  ships  at  Tybee. 

nor  there ;  that  this  deponent  continued  going  to  and  from  thence 
until  November,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  thirty-six,"  &c* 


CHAPTER    IX. 

Special  destination  of  the  last   Emigrants  —  Oglethorpe   makes 
arrangements  for  their  transportation  to  the  Island  of  St.  Simons 

—  Follows  with  Charles  Wesley — Arrives  and  lays  out  a  Town 
to  be  called  Frederica  —  Visits  the  Highlanders  at  Darien  —  Re- 
turns and  superintends  the  building  of  a  Fort  —  All  the  people 
arrive  —  Barracks  for  the  Soldiers  put  up,  and  a  Battery  erected  — 
Visited  by  Tomo  Chichi,  and  Indians,  who  make  a  cession  of 
the  Islands  —  Reconnoitres  the  Islands  and  gives  names  to  them 

—  Commissioners  from  St.  Augustine  —  Apparently  amicable 
overtures  —  Oglethorpe  goes  to  Savannah  to  hold  a  conference 
with  a  Committee  from  South  Carolina  respecting  trade  with  the 
Indians  T- Insolent  demand  of  the  Spaniards  —  Oglethorpe  em- 
barks for  England. 

As  the  destination  of  the  large  number  of  intended 
settlers,  which  had  now  arrived  was  "  for  the  pur- 
pose of  laying  out  a  county  and  building  a  new 
town  near  the  southern  frontier  of  Georgia,"  and 
the  people  were  waiting  to  be  conducted  by  the 
General  to  "  the  place  of  habitation,"  he  was  very 
active  in  making  arrangements  for  their  transporta- 
tion, and,  on  the  evening  of  the  16th  of  February, 


OGLETHORPE  GOES  TO  ST.   SIMONS.         135 

1739,  set  out  in  the  scout-boat/  through  the  inward 
channels,  to  meet,  at  Jekyl  sound,  a  sloop  that  he 
had  chartered  to  take  on  some  of  the  more  efficient 
men  as  pioneers,  and  to  make  some  preparation  for 
the  reception  of  the  emigrants."  He  took  with  him 
Charles  Wesley,  who  was  to  be  his  Secretary  as 
well  as  Chaplain  ;  Mr.  Ingham  having  gone  by  a 
previous  opportunity;  and  left  John  Wesley  and 
Delamotte  at  Savannah.^ 

As  Oglethorpe  was  in  haste,  the  men  rowed  night 
and  day,  and  had  no  other  rest  than  what  they  got 
when  the  wind  favored  their  course ;  and  "  they 
vied  with  each  other  who  should  be  forwardest  to 
please  the  General,  who,  indeed,  lightened  their 
sense  of  fatigue  by  giving  them  refreshments,  which 
he  rather  spared  from  himself  than  let  them  want."^ 

On  the  morning  of  the  18th  they  arrived  at  St. 
Simons,  an  island  near  the  north  mouth  of  the  Ala- 
tamaha  river,  fifteen  miles  in  length,  and  from  two 

'  Appendix,  No.  XVIII. 

*  "  The  Trustees  for  establishing  the  Colony  of  Georgia  in  Amer- 
ica, ordered  a  new  town  to  be  built  in  that  Colony,  and  an  embark- 
ation to  be  made  for  that  purpose." 

'  Many  of  the  particulars  in  this  chapter  are  taken  from  the 
Journal  of  Thomas  Moore,  who  was  present.  As  that  work  is 
extremely  rare,  I  adopted  its  information  more  verbally  than  I  should 
have  done  had  I  anticipated  that  it  was  so  soon  to  be  republished  in 
the  Collections  of  the  Georgia  Historical  Society. 

*  Moore,  p.  42. 


136  OGLETHORPE   VISITS   DARIEN. 

to  four  in  breadth.  Here  the  working  men  and 
carpenters  who  came  in  the  sloop  and  long  boats, 
disembarked,  and  were  immediately  set  to  work. 

Oglethorpe  not  only  directed  and  superintended, 
but  actually  assisted  in  the  labors.  They  soon  got 
up  a  house  and  thatched  it  with  palmetto  leaves  ; 
dug  a  cellar,  and  throwing  up  the  earth  on  each 
side,  by  way  of  bank,  raised  over  it  a  store  house  ; 
and  then  marked  out  a  fort.  They  next  con- 
structed several  booths,  each  of  which  was  between 
twenty  and  forty  feet  long,  and  twenty  feet  wide. 
These  were  for  the  reception  and  temporary  shelter 
of  the  Colonists. 

After  this,  the  General  paid  a  visit  to  the  High- 
landers, at  their  settlement  called  "  the  Darien,"  a 
distance  of  sixteen  miles  on  the  northern  branch  of 
the  Alatamaha.  He  found  them  under  arms,  in 
their  uniform  of  plaid,  equipped  with  broad  swords, 
targets,  and  muskets  ;  in  which  they  made  a  fine 
appearance.  In  compliment  to  them,  he  was  that 
morning,  and  all  the  time  that  he  was  with  them, 
dressed  in  their  costume.  They  had  provided  him 
a  fine  soft  bed,  with  Holland  sheets,  and  plaid  cur- 
tains ;  but  he  chose  to  lie  upon  the  ground,  and  in 
the  open  air,  wrapt  in  his  cloak,  as  did  two  other 
gentlemen  ;  and  afterwards  his  example  was  fol- 
lowed by  the  rest  of  his  attendants. 


OGLETHORPE'S  CONDESCENSION.  137 

This  condescending  and  accommodating  dispo- 
sition not  only  conciliated  the  regards  of  the  set- 
tlers, but  encouraged  them  both  by  example  and 
aid  in  going  through  their  arduous  labors,  and  in 
submitting   to    the    exigences   of    their   situation. 
Happily  his  constitution  was  framed  to  a  singular 
temperament,   which   enabled   him  to  require  but 
very  little  sleep  ;  and  he  was  capable  of  enduring 
long  and  frequent  fasting,  when  imposed  upon  him 
either  by  necessity  or  business,  without  any  observ- 
able prejudice  to  his  health,  or  any  other  inconve- 
nience.    A  gentleman,  who  was  one  of  the  party, 
in  a  letter,  dated  24th  of  February,  1736,  declares, 
"  What  surprizes  me,  beyond  expression,  is  his  ab- 
stemiousness and  hard  living.     Though  even  dain- 
ties are  plentiful,  he  makes  the  least  use  of  them  ; 
and  such  is  his  hardiness,  that  he  goes  through  the 
woods  wet  or  dry,  as  well  as  any  Indian.     More- 
over, his  humanity  so  gains  upon  all  here,  that  I 
have  not  words  to  express  their  regard  and  esteem 
for  him."     He  further  adds,  "  They  have  a  Min- 
ister here,  Mr.  McLeod,  a  very  good  man,  who  is 
very  useful  in  instructing  the  people  in  religious 
matters,    and    will    intermeddle    with    no    other 
affairs."  ^     How  commendably  prudent,  as  well  as 


'  Gentleman's  Magazine,  1736,  p.  229. 
18 


138  VISIT  OF  TOMO   CHICHI. 

altogether  pro[)er,  was  this  avoidance  of  secular 
topics  and  party  discussions  in  preaching ;  and  how 
conducive  to  social  accordance  and  peace,  as  well 
as  spiritual  edification,  was  soon  apparent  in  the 
lamentable  effects  of  a  different  use  of  the  minis- 
terial function  in  the  other  settlements. 

Having  remained  a  few  days  with  his  favorite 
Highland  corps,  he  returned  to  St.  Simons,  where 
he  found  Tomo  Chichi,  Toonahowi,  and  a  party 
of  Indians  consisting  of  about  forty  men,  "  all 
chosen  warriors  and  good  hunters  ;  "  who  had 
come  down  to  show  him  what  Islands  they  claimed 
as  having  belonged  to  their  nation,  but  which  had 
been  ceded  to  him  by  treaty,  and  to  which  they 
would  now  give  him  the  formal  possession.  To 
accomplish  this,  the  General  fitted  out  an  expedi- 
tion, to  take  them  with  him  in  the  two  ten-oared 
boats,  with  Major  Horton,  Mr.  Tanner,  and  some 
other  gentlemen  as  his  escort ;  and  a  sufficient 
number  of  able  hands  both  as  boat-men  and  sol- 
diers, and  to  man  the  periagua,'  with  Highlanders 
under  the  command  of  Captain  Hugh  Mackay. 

*  The  Periagua  is  a  long  flat-bottomed  boat,  carryiugfrom  twenty 
to  thirty-five  tons.  It  is  constructed  with  a  forecastle  and  a  cabin  ; 
but  the  rest  is  open,  and  there  is  no  deck.  It  has  two  masts,  which 
the  sailors  can  strike,  and  sails  like  those  of  schooners.  It  is  rowed, 
generally,  with  two  oars  only. 


EXCURSION  TO  THE   ISLANDS.  -jgg 

He  the  more  readily  engaged  in  this  excursion 
from  an  impatient  desire  to  gain  intelligence  of 
Major  Richard,  and  the  deputation  to  St.  Augus- 
tine. 

They  set  out  on  the  18th  of  March.  On  the 
first  day  they  visited  an  island  in  the  mouth  of  the 
Alatamaha,  sixteen  miles  long,  and  from  one  to 
five  broad ;  opposite  the  entrance  of  the  great 
Latilla  river.  By  the  Indians  it  was  called  Wis- 
soE,  Sassafras;  but  the  Spaniards  had  named  it 
San  Pedro.  Toonahovvi,  pulling  out  a  watch  that 
had  been  given  him  by  his  Royal  Highness  the 
Duke  of  Cumberland,  desired  that  it  should  bear 
his  name  ;  saying,  "  He  gave  me  this  watch,  that 
we  might  know  how  time  went;  and  we  will  re- 
member him  while  time  goes  ;  and  this  place  must 
have  his  name,  that  others  may  be  reminded  of 
him."  The  General  left  Captain  Mackay  and  the 
Highlanders  here,  with  directions  to  build  a  fort  on 
the  high  ground,  commanding  the  passes  of  the 
river ;  which,  at  their  desire,  should  be  called  St. 
Andrews.  On  the  south-east  part  of  this  island 
another  strong  fort  was  afterwards  built,  called 
Fort  William,  which  commanded  Amelia  Sound, 
and  the  inland  passage  from  St.  Augustine. 

On  their  excursion,  the  next  day,  they  passed 
the  Cloffothea,  an  arm  of  the  Alatamaha,  and  went 


140  AMELIA  ISLAND. 

ashore  on  a  delightful  island,  about  thirteen  miles 
long,  and  two  broad,  with  orange  trees,  myrtles 
and  vines  growing  on  it.  The  wild-grape  vines 
here,  as  on  the  borders  of  the  Savannah,  grow  to 
the  very  top  of  the  trees,  and  hang  from  limb  to 
limb  in  festoons,  as  if  trimmed  and  twined  by  art.^ 
The  name  of  this  island,  Santa  Maria,  they  chang- 
ed to  Amelia,  in  honor  of  her  Royal  Highness. 

On  the  third  day  they  came  to  an  island  w^hich 
had  borne  the  name  of  San  Juan  ;  but  claiming  it 
as  belonging  to  his  Majesty,  and  the  southernmost 
part  of  his  Provinces  on  the  sea-coast  of  North 
America,  they  named  it  George's. 

As  they  approached  the  Spanish  look-out,  \_Haser 
centineld]  which  is  posted  on  the  Florida  side  of 
the  St.  John's  river,  the  Indians  shewed  their  de- 
sire of  making  an  assault  upon  it,  as  "  some  of  them 
were  related  to  those  that  had  been  killed,  the 
winter  before,  by  a  detachment  from  St.  Augus- 
tine ;  and  one  of  them,  Poyeechy  by  name,  had 
been  wounded  by  the  Spaniards."  The  General, 
though  with  much  difficulty,  persuaded  them  to 
forbear ;  and  prevailed  upon  them  to  return  to 
what  is  called  "  the  Palmetto  ground,"  near  to 
Amelia  Island,  in  one  of  the  scout-boats,  under  the 

'  Journal  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bolzius,  who,  it  seems,  was  one  of  the 
party.     See  Urlspurgee,  I.  845. 


PALMETTO  GROUND.  141 

care  of  Major  Horton.  When  they  had  got  en- 
tirely out  of  sight,  he  purposed  to  cross  over  and 
inquire  of  the  Spanish  guard  what  had  become  of 
his  boat  and  the  commissioner  to  the  Governor  of 
Florida.^ 

On  going  ashore  they  found  no  men  at  the  look- 
out, and  therefore  went  down  to  the  lower  one, 
which  was  also  deserted.  They  then  set  out  on 
their  return,  and  passing  between  the  St.  George 
and  Talbot  Island  came  to  the  rendezvous  at  the 
Palmetto  ground.  There  they  met  Mr.  Horton  in 
the  scout-boat,  and  some  boats  of  Indians ;  but 
Tomo  Chichi,  with  two  boats,  was  gone. 

Here  Mr.  Moore,  whom  I  follow,  narrates  a 
serio-comic  adventure,  which,  though  it  may  be,  to 
some  of  my  readers,  a  twice-told  tale,  will  bear 
repeating. 

"  About  four  hours  in  the  night,  their  sentry 
challenged  a  boat,  and  Umpichi,  one  of  those  that 
had  been  in  England,  answered,  and  at  the  same 

^  The  district,  as  far  as  St.  John's,  was  taken  from  the  Spaniards 
in  Queen  Anne's  time ;  and  at  the  time  of  the  Peace  of  Utrecht  it 
was  in  the  possession  of  the  English  allied  Indians.  Now,  since 
by  this  treaty  all  lands  in  America  were  declared  to  belong  to  their 
then  present  owners,  and  the  said  Indians  still  occupy  it,  and  having 
acknowledged  themselves  subjects  to  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  by 
cession,  the  territory  became  his. 


142  ANECDOTE   OF   TOMO  CHICHI. 

time  leaped  on  shore  with  four  others,  and  ran 
up  to  the  fires  where  Mr.  Oglethorpe  then  was. 
They  seemed  in  such  a  rage  as  is  hardly  to  be 
described.  Their  eyes  glowed,  as  it  were  with 
fire.  Some  of  them  foamed  at  the  mouth,  and 
moved  with  such  bounds  that  they  seemed  rather 
possessed. 

"  Mr.  Oglethorpe  asked  Umpichi  what  the  mat- 
ter was.  He  said  '  Tomo  Chichi  has  seen  enemies, 
and  has  sent  us  to  tell  it,  and  to  help  you.'  Being 
asked  why  the  Mico  did  not  come  back  himself,  he 
said,  '  He  is  an  old  warrior,  and  will  not  come  away 
from  his  enemies,  who  hunt  upon  our  lands,  till  he 
has  seen  them  so  near  as  to  count  them.  He  saw 
their  fire,  and  therefore  sent  to  take  care  of  you, 
who  are  his  friends.  He  will  make  a  warrior  of 
Toonahowi,  and,  before  daylight,  will  be  revenged 
for  his  men  whom  they  killed  whilst  he  was  gone 
to  England.  But  we  shall  have  no  honor,  for  we 
shall  not  be  there.'  The  rest  of  the  Indians  seem- 
ed to  catch  the  raging  fits,  at  not  being  present. 
Mr.  Oglethorpe  asked  if  he  thought  there  were 
many.  He  said  '  Yes !  he  thought  the  enemies 
were  a  great  many,  for  they  had  a  great  fire  upon  a 
high  ground,  and  the  Indians  never  make  large 
fires,  but  when  they  are  so  strong  as  to  despise  all 
resistance.' 


OGLETHORPE  GOES  TO  THE  MICO.  ]43 

"  Mr.  Oglethorpe  immediately  ordered  all  his 
people  on  board,  and  they  rowed  very  briskly  to 
where  Tomo  Chichi  was ;  being  about  four  miles 
distant. 

"  They  found  him,  with  his  Indians,  with  hardly 
any  fire,  only  a  few  sparks  behind  a  bush,  to  pre- 
vent discovery ;  who  told  them  that  they  had  been 
to  see  the  fire,  and  had  discovered  seven  or  eight 
white  men,  but  the  Indians,  they  believed,  had  en- 
camped further  in  the  woods,  for  they  had  not  seen 
them  ;  but  Tomo  Chichi  was  going  out  again  to 
look  for  the  Indians,  whom,  as  soon  as  he  discover- 
ed, he  intended  to  give  the  signal  to  attack  both 
the  parties  at  once  ;  one  half  creeping  near,  and 
taking  each  their  aim  at  those*whom  they  saw  most 
awake  ;  and,  as  soon  as  they  had  fired,  to  run  in 
with  their  hatchets,  and  at  the  same  time  those 
who  had  not  fired  to  run  in  with  their  loaded  arms ; 
that  if  they  knew  once  where  the  Indians  were, 
they  would  be  sure  of  killing  all  the  white  men, 
since  they,  being  round  the  fire,  were  easily  seen, 
and  the  same  fire  hindered  them  from  seeing  others. 

"  Mr.  Oglethorpe  tried  to  dissuade  them  from 
that  attempt,  but  with  great  difficulty  could  obtain 
of  them  to  delay  a  little  time ;  they  thinking  it 
argued  cowardice.  At  last  they  got  up  and  re- 
solved to  go  in  spite  of  all  his  endeavors  ;  on  which 


144  SERIO-COMIC  ADVENTURE. 

he  told  them,  '  You  certainly  go  to  kill  them  in  the 
night,  because  you  arc  afraid  of  seeing  them  by 
day.  Now,  I  do  not  fear  them.  Stay  till  day, 
and  I  will  go  with  you,  and  see  who  they  are.' 

"  Tomo  Chichi  sighed,  and  sat  down,  and  said, 
*  We  do  not  fear  them  by  day  ;  but  if  we  do  not 
kill  them  by  night,  they  will  kill  you  to-morrow.' 
So  they  stayed. 

"By  daybreak  Mr.  Oglethorpe  and  the  Mico 
went  down  with  their  men,  and  came  to  the  fire, 
which  they  thought  had  been  made  by  enemies, 
which  was  less  than  a  mile  from  where  the  Mico 
had  passed  the  night.  They  saw  a  boat  there, 
with  a  white  flag  flying,  and  the  men  proved  to  be 
Major  Richard,  and  'his  attendants,  returned  from 
Augustine. 

"  The  Indians  then  seemed  ashamed  of  their 
rage,  which  inspired  them  to  kill  men  before  they 
knew  who  they  were." 

The  meeting,  under  these  circumstances,  was 
doubly  joyous.  After  mutual  congratulations,  he 
was  informed  by  Major  Richard  that  "  he  was  cast 
away  before  he  could  get  to  St.  Augustine  ;  that 
part  of  the  baggage  was  lost ;  but  the  boat  and 
men  saved.  That,  having  scrambled  through  the 
breakers,  and  walked  some  leagues  through  the 
sands,  they  were  met  by  Don  Pedro  Lamberto,  a 


GOVERNOR  OF  ST.  AUGUSTINE.      145 

Captain  of  the  horse,  and  by  him  conducted  to  the 
Governor,  who  received  them  w^ith  great  civility ; 
and  that  the  reason  of  his  long  stay  was  to  get  the 
boat  repaired."  He  brought  letters  from  Don  Fran- 
cisco del  Morale  Sanchez,  Captain  General  of  Flor- 
ida, and  Governor  of  St.  Augustine.  These  com- 
menced with  compliments,  thanking  him  for  the 
letters  brought  by  Charles  Dempsey,  Esq.  and  Ma- 
jor Richard  ;  which,  however,  were  followed  by 
complaints  that  the  Creek  Indians  had  assaulted 
and  driven  away  the  Spanish  settlers  on  the  bor- 
ders of  the  St.  Mattheo,^  and  intimations  of  dis- 
pleasure at  the  threatening  appearance  of  the  forts 
which  he  was  erecting,  and  forces  which  manned 
them.  Major  Richard  said  that  the  Governor  ex- 
pected an  answer  in  three  weeks,  and  desired  him 
to  bring  it.  He  added,  that  despatches  had  been 
sent  to  the  Havana  to  apprize  the  Government  of 
the  arrival  of  the  new  settlers,  and  of  the  position 
which  they  had  taken. 

"  The  same  day  they  returned  toward  St.  An- 
drew's ;  but  not  having  depth  of  water  enough 
through  the  narrows  of  Amelia,  the  scout-boats 
were  obliged  to  halt  there  ;  but  the  Indians  ad- 
vanced to  the  south  end  of  Cumberland,  where 
they  hunted,  and  carried  venison  to  St.  Andrews."' 

'  The  St.  John's. 
19 


146  FREDERICA  LAID   OUT. 

By  the  directions  and  encouragements  of  the 
General,  the  works  at  St.  Simons  were  carried  on 
with  such  expedition,  that,  by  the  middle  of  April, 
the  fort,  which  was  a  regular  work  of  tabby,  a 
composition  of  oyster  shells  and  lime;  was  finished; 
and  thirty-seven  palmetto  houses  were  put  up,  in 
which  all  the  people  might  be  sheltered  till  they 
could  build  better. 

About  the  centre  of  the  west  end  of  the  island,  a 
town  was  laid  out,  which  he  called  Frederica, 
with  wide  streets,  crossing  each  other  at  right 
angles.  These  were  afterwards  skirted  with  rows 
of  orange  trees. 

The  ground  being  properly  divided,  "  the  people, 
who  had  now  all  arrived,  having  been  brought  in  a 
little  fleet  of  periaguas,  were  put  in  possession  of 
their  respective  lots,  on  the  19th  of  April,  in  order 
that  each  man  might  begin  to  build  and  improve 
for  himself.  But  the  houses  that  had  been  built, 
and  the  fields  that  had  been  tilled  and  sown,  were, 
as  yet,  to  be  in  common  for  the  public  benefit." 

At  the  south  end  of  the  island  he  caused  to  be 
erected  a  strong  battery,  called  Fort  St.  Simons, 
commanding  the  entrance  to  Jekyl  sound ;  and  a 
camp  of  barracks  and  some  huts. 

In  point  of  situation,  a  better  place  for  a  town,  a 
fortress,  and  a  harbor,  could  hardly  be  wished  in 


VISIT   OF  INDIANS.  I47 

that  part  of  the  country ;  lying,  as  it  does,  at  the 
mouth  of  a  very  fine  river.  The  surface  of  the 
island  was  covered  with  oak  and  hickory  trees,  in- 
termixed with  meadows  and  old  Indian  fields  ;  the 
soil  was  rich  and  fertile,  and  in  all  places,  where 
they  tried,  they  found  fresh  water  within  nine  feet 
of  the  surface.^ 

On  the  25th,  Oglethorpe  and  his  men,  and  Ma- 
jor Richard  and  his  attendants,  got  back  to  Fred- 
erica.  On  the  next  day  the  Indians  arrived,  the 
purpose  of  whose  intended  visit  had  been  announced 
by  Tomo  Chichi.  Having  encamped  by  them- 
selves near  the  town,  they  prepared  for  a  dance  ;  to 
which  Oglethorpe  went  with  all  his  people. 

"  They  made  a  ring,  in  the  middle  of  which  four 
sat  down,  having  little  drums,  made  of  kettles, 
covered  with  deer  skins,  upon  which  they  beat, 
and  sung.  Round  these  the  others  danced,  being 
naked  to  their  waists,  and  having  round  their  mid- 
dle many  trinkets  tied  with  skins  ;  and  some  had 
the  tails  of  beasts  hanging  down  behind  them. 
They  had  painted  their  faces  and  bodies  ;  and  their 
hair  was  stuck  with  feathers.     In  one  hand  they 

*  See  "  History  of  the  Rise,  Progress,  and  Present  State  of  the 
Colony  of  Georgia,"  in  Harris's  Collection  of  Voyages  and  Travels, 
Vol.  11.  p.  330,  2d  ed.  Lond.  1764.  The  best  history,  up  to  the 
date  of  publication,  extant. 


148  INDIAN   DANCE. 

had  a  rattle,  in  the  other  the  feathers  of  an  eagle 
made  up  like  the  cadiiceus  of  Mercury ;  they  shook 
there  plumes  and  the  rattle,  and  danced  round  the 
ring  with  high  bounds  and  antic  postures,  looking 
much  like  the  figures  of  the  Satyrs. 

"  They  showed  great  activity,  and  kept  just  time 
in  their  motions ;  and  at  certain  times  answered, 
by  way  of  chorus,  to  those  that  sat  in  the  middle 
of  the  ring.  They  stopt ;  and  then  one  of  the 
chief  warriors  stood  out,  who  sang  what  wars  he 
had  been  in,  and  described  by  motions  as  well  as 
by  words,  which  way  he  had  vanquished  the  ene- 
mies of  his  country.  When  he  had  done,  all  the 
rest  gave  a  shout  of  approbation,  as  knowing  what 
he  said  to  be  true."  ^ 

The  Indian  Mico  then  explained  the  object  of 
their  embassy  in  a  long  speech.  After  this,  an  alli- 
ance vvas  concluded,  and  presents  exchanged ;  which 
consisted,  on  the  part  of  the  Indians,  of  dressed 
skins ;  and,  on  that  of  Oglethorpe,  of  guns,  red 
and  blue  cloth,  powder,  bullets,  knives,  and  small 
whetstones  ;  and,  among  the  women  he  distributed 
linen  and  woolen  garments,  ear-rings,  chains,  beads, 
&c. 

This  business  being  despatched,  the  General  call- 

'  Moore. 


EXPEDITION  TO   ST.   JOHN'S.  I49 

ed  the  freemen  together,  and  communicated  to 
them  the  contents  of  the  letters  which  he  had  re- 
ceived from  the  Govexnor  of  St.  Augustine  ;  and 
this  he  did  to  prevent  the  ill  impression  that  vague 
conjecture  and  idle  reports  might  occasion,  and 
then,  in  compliance  with  the  requisition  of  the 
Governor  of  St.  Augustine  that  hostile  intrusion  on 
the  Spanish  settlements  might  be  prevented,  he 
immediately  fitted  out  a  periagua  and  the  marine 
boat,  with  men  and  provisions  for  three  months ; 
together  with  arms,  ammunition,  and  tools,  to  sail 
to  the  southward,  and  cruise  along  the  English  side 
of  the  St.  John's,  in  order  to  detect  and  prevent 
any  lawless  persons  from  sheltering  themselves 
there,  and  thence  molesting  his  Catholic  Majesty's 
subjects,  and  to  restrain  the  Indians. 

This  expedition  was  conducted  by  Captain 
Hermsdorff,  who  was  to  leave  Major  Richard  and 
Mr.  Horton  his  attendant,  at  some  place  on  the 
Florida  shore,  whence  they  could  proceed  to  St. 
Augustine  to  wait  on  the  Governor  with  the  des- 
patches. The  purport  of  these  was  to  acquaint 
him,  that,  "  being  greatly  desirous  to  remove  all 
occasions  of  uneasiness  upon  the  frequent  com- 
plaints by  his  Excellency  of  hostile  incursions  up- 
on the  Spanish  dominions,  armed  boats  had  been 
sent  to  patrol   the  opposite  borders  of  the    river, 


150  UCHEE  INDIANS. 

and  prevent  all  passing  over  by  Indians  or  marau- 
ders. The  gentlemen  were  also  directed  to  render 
him  the  thanks  of  General  Oglethorpe  for  his  civil- 
ities, and  to  express  his  inclination  for  maintaining 
a  good  harmony  between  the  subjects  of  both 
crowns."  ^ 

On  the  22d  of  May,  1736,  a  respectable  deputa- 
tion of  the  Uchee  Indians,  from  the  neighborhood 
of  Ebenezer,  waited  upon  the  General  at  St.  Si- 
mons. They  had  painted  themselves  with  various 
colors,  and  were  dressed  in  their  richest  costume. 
Being  introduced  to  him  in  the  large  apartment  of 
the  magazine  store,  the  Indian  King  made  a  long 
speech  ;  after  which  an  alliance  was  entered  into, 
and  pledge  presents  interchanged.^  This  treaty  was 
a  very  important  one,  because  the  Uchees  claimed 
the  country  above  Augusta  to  the  border  of  the 
Creeks,  and  a  portion  below  adjoining  the  Yama- 
craws ;  because  they  were  an  independent  tribe, 
having  no  alliance  with  the  others  ;  and  because 
they  had  been  a  little  dissatisfied  with  the  Saltz- 
burgers  at  Ebenezer. 

On  the  first  of  June  intelligence  was  received 
that  Major  Richard  and   Mr.   Horton,  instead  of 

'  Moore's  Voyage,  p.  79. 

'  Urlspurger,  I.  844,  and  Appendix  No.  XIX. 


MAJOR  RICHARD'S  RECEPTION.  I5I 

being  received  as  commissioned  delegates,  had  been 
arrested  and  made  prisoners  at  St.  Augustine.  Not 
explaining  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Governor  and 
his  Council  the  situation  of  the  forts  and  the  design 
of  the  military  force  that  was  stationed  in  them, 
they  were  detained  in  custody,  till  Don  Ignatio 
Rosso,  Lieutenant  Colonel  of  the  garrison,  with  a 
detachment  of  men  had  made  personal  investiga- 
tions ;  who,  after  an  absence  of  jfive  days,  returned 
and  reported  that  the  islands  were  all  fortified,  and 
appeared  to  be  filled  with  men  ;  and  that  the  shores 
were  protected  by  armed  boats.  A  council  of  war 
was  then  held,  and  it  was  resolved  to  send  back 
Major  Richard  and  Mr.  Horton,  and  their  suit,  and 
with  them  an  embassy,  consisting  of  Charles  Demp- 
sey,  Esq.,  Don  Pedro  Lamberto,  Captain  of  the 
Horse,  and  Don  Manuel  D'Arcy,  Adjutant  of  the 
garrison,  with  intimations  that  this  formidable  array 
was  unnecessary.  By  private  information,  however, 
Oglethorpe  was  led  to  infer  that,  notwithstanding 
the  fair  professions  that  had  been  made  by  the 
Spaniards,  there  were  evidently  measures  concerted 
to  increase  their  forces,  to  procure  guns  and  ammu- 
nition, and  to  arm  the  Florida  Indians.* 

In  consequence   of  these   and  other  indications 
that  the  Spaniards  were  commencing  preparations 

^  Moore's  Voyage,  p.  79. 


152     OGLETHORPE  GOES  TO  SAVANNAH. 

for  dislodging  the  English  settlers,  the  General  took 
all  possible  precautionary  measures  for  repelling 
them.  The  fort  and  works  on  St.  Simons  were 
completed  in  the  best  manner,  and  a  battery  was 
erected  on  the  east  point  of  the  island,  which  pro- 
jects into  the  ocean.  This  commanded  the  en- 
trance of  Jekyl  sound  in  such  manner  that  all 
ships  that  come  in  at  this  north  entry  must  pass 
within  shot  of  the  point,  the  channel  lying  directly 
under  it. 

St.  Andrew's  fort,  on  Cumberland  Island,  with 
its  munition  of  ordnance  and  garrison  of  well-dis- 
ciplined soldiers,  was  much  relied  upon  as  a  mean 
of  defence  ;  and  even  the  outpost  at  St.  George's, 
on  the  north  side  and  near  the  mouth  of  St.  John's 
river,  was  deemed  of  no  inconsiderable  importance 
as  a  check,  at  least,  upon  any  attempted  invasion 
by  the  Spaniards,  and  as  serving  to  prevent  their 
going  through  the  inner  passages. 

In  the  month  of  July  the  General  visited  Savan- 
nah, to  attend  to  atfairs  there,  and  to  hold  a  con- 
ference with  a  Committee  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly of  South  Carolina  respecting  the  Indian  trade, 
which  they  charged  him  with  aiming  to  monopo- 
lize, to  the  disallowance  of  their  traders. 

It  may  be  necessary  here  to  state,  that,  as  the 
boundaries  of  Georgia  separated  the  Indians  on  the 


OF  THE  INDIAN  TRADE.  I53 

west  side  of  the  Savannah  river  from  the  confines 
of  South  Carolina,  thej  must  be  admitted  as  in 
affinity  with  the  new  Colony.  At  any  rate,  Ogle- 
thorpe deemed  it  so  expedient  to  obtain  their  con- 
sent to  the  settlement  of  his  people,  and  their  good 
will  was  so  essential  to  a  secure  and  peaceful  resi- 
dence, that  his  earliest  care  had  been  to  make  trea- 
ties of  alliance  with  them.  That  these  treaties 
should  include  agreements  for  mutual  intercourse 
and  trade,  seemed  to  be,  not  only  a  prudential,  but 
an  indispensable  provision  ;  particularly  as  Tomo 
Chichi  and  the  Micos  of  the  Creeks,  who  went 
with  him  to  England,  had  requested  that  some 
stipulations  might  be  made  relative  to  the  quantity, 
quality,  and  prices  of  goods,  and  to  the  accuracy  of 
weights  and  measures,  in  what  was  offered  for  the 
purchase  of  their  buffalo  hides,  and  deer-skins  and 
peltry.'  Whereupon  the  Trustees  proposed  certain 
regulations  of  trade,  designed  to  prevent  in  future 
those  impositions  of  which  the  Indians  complained. 
To  carry  these  into  effect,  it  was  thought  right  that 
none  should  be  permitted  to  trade  with  the  Indians 
but  such  as  had  a  license,  and  would  agree  to  con- 
duct the  traffic  upon  fair  and  equitable  principles. 
The  Carolina  traders,  not  being  disposed  to  apply 
for  a  permit,    nor  to  subject    themselves  to  such 

>  McCall,  Vol.  I.  p.  46. 
20 


154  SOUTH  CAROLINA  COMMITTEE. 

Stipulations  and  restrictions,  were  disallowed  by  the 
Georgia  Commissary,  who  held  a  trading  house 
among  the  Creeks.'  This  was  resented  by  them, 
and  their  complaints  to  the  Provincial  Assembly  led 
to  the  appointment  of  the  Committee  just  referred 
to,  and  whose  conference  with  Oglethorpe  was  held 
at  Savannah  on  the  2d  of  August,  1736.^  In  their 
printed  report  they  lay  down  these  fundamental 
principles.  "  The  Cherokee,  Creek,  Chickasaw, 
and  Catawba  Indians,  at  the  time  of  the  discovery 
of  this  part  of  America,  were  the  inhabitants  of  the 

'  Capt.  Frederick  McKay,  in  a  letter  to  Thomas  Broughton, 
Esq.,  Lieutenant  Governor  of  South  Carolina,  dated  July  12,  1735, 
written  to  justify  his  conduct  as  Indian  Commissary,  in  turning  out 
four  traders  who  would  not  conform  to  the  rules  stipulated  in  the 
licenses,  has  the  following  remarks  on  the  difficulties  which  he  had 
to  encounter :  "  It  was  impracticable  to  get  the  traders  to  observe 
their  instructions,  while  some  did  undersell  the  others ;  some  used 
light,  others  heavy  weights ;  some  bribed  the  Indians  to  lay  out 
their  skins  with  them,  others  told  the  Indians  that  their  neighboring 
traders  had  heavy  weights,  and  stole  their  skins  from  them,  but  that 
they  themselves  had  light  weights,  and  that  their  goods  were 
better." 

*  Report  of  the  Committee  appointed  to  examine  into  the  proceedings 
of  the  people  of  Georgia,  with  respect  to  the  Province  of  South  Carolina, 
and  the  disputes  subsisting  between  the  two  Colonies.  4to.  Charles- 
town,  1736,  p.  121. 

This  tract  was  printed  by  Lewis  Timothy.  There  was  no 
printer  in  Carolina  before  1730,  and  this  appears  to  have  been  one 
of  the  earliest  productions  of  the  Charlestown  press,  in  the  form 
of  a  book.     Rich's  Bibliotheca  Americana  Nova,  p.  53. 


INDIAN  RIGHTS.  I55 

lands  which  they  now  possess,  and  have  ever  since 
been  deemed  and  esteemed  the  friends  and  allies  of 
his  Majesty's  English  subjects  in  this  part  of  the 
Continent.  They  have  been  treated  with  as  allies, 
but  not  as  subjects  of  the  crown  of  Great  Britain  ; 
they  have  maintained  their  own  possessions,  and 
preserved  their  independency  ;  nor  does  it  appear 
that  they  have  by  conquest  lost,  nor  by  cession, 
compact,  or  otherwise,  yielded  up  or  parted  with, 
those  rights  to  which,  by  the  laws  of  nature  and 
nations,  they  were  and  are  entided." 

"  The  Committee  cannot  conceive  that  a  charter 
from  the  crown  of  Great  Britain  can  give  the  grant- 
ees a  right  or  power  over  a  people,  who,  to  our 
knowledge,  have  never  owned  any  allegiance,  or 
acknowledged  the  sovereignty  of  the  crown  of  Great 
Britain,  or  any  Prince  in  Europe  ;  but  have  indis- 
criminately visited  and  traded  with  the  French, 
Spaniards,  and  English,  as  they  judged  it  most  for 
their  advantage  ;  and  it  is  as  difficult  to  understand 
how  the  laws  of  Great  Britain,  or  of  any  Colony  in 
America,  can  take  place,  or  be  put  in  execution  in 
a  country  where  the  people  never  accepted  of,  nor 
submitted  to,  such  laws  ;  but  have  always  main- 
tained their  freedom,  and  have  adhered  to  their 
own  customs  and  manners  without  variation  or 
change." 


156  REPLICATION  OF  OGLETHORPE. 

Hence  the  Committee  inferred  that  the  Regula- 
tions which  were  passed  by  the  Trustees,  could 
not  be  binding  upon  the  Indians,  nor  serve  to  effect 
any  exclusive  trade  with  them.  Oglethorpe  ac- 
knowledged this  independency  of  the  Indians  ;  and 
asserted  that,  in  perfect  consistency  with  it,  they 
had  entered  into  a  treaty  of  alliance  with  the  Colony 
of  Georgia;  and,  having  themselves  indicated  cer- 
tain terms  and  principles  of  traffic,  these  were 
adopted  and  enjoined  by  the  Trustees  ;  and  this 
was  done,  not  to  claim  authority  over  the  Indians, 
nor  to  control  their  conduct,  but  to  indicate  what 
was  required  of  those  who  should  go  among  them 
as  traders. 

In  answer  to  the  allegations  that  the  Carolina 
traders  had  been  excluded,  he  declared  that,  in 
granting  licenses  to  trade  with  the  Indians,  he  re- 
fused none  of  the  Carolina  traders  who  conformed 
to  the  Act,  and  gave  them  the  same  instructions  as 
had  been  given  by  the  Province  of  Carolina.^     He 

'  "  To  protect  the  natives  against  insults,  and  establish  a  fair  trade 
and  friendly  intercourse  with  them,  were  regulations  which  human- 
ity required,  and  sound  policy  dictated.  But  the  rapacious  spirit  of 
individuals  could  be  curbed  by  no  authority.  Many  advantages 
were  taken  of  the  ignorance  of  Indians  in  ihe  way  of  traffic."  Ram- 
say's History  of  South  Carolina,  Vol.1,  p.  48.  For  other  particulars 
stated  by  him,  respecting  the  trade  with  the  Indians,  see  p.  89,  104. 


OF  CAROLINA  TRADERS.         157 

also  declared  that  he  had  given,  and  should  always 
continue  to  give,  such  instructions  to  the  Georgia 
traders,  as  had  formerly  been  given  by  the  Province 
of  South  Carolina  to  theirs  ;  and  in  case  any  new 
instructions  given  by  the  Province  of  South  Caro- 
lina to  their  traders  shall  be  imparted,  and  appear 
to  him  for  the  benefit  of  the  two  Provinces,  he 
would  add  them  to  the  instructions  of  the  Georgia 
traders ;  and,  finally,  that,  pursuant  to  the  desire 
of  the  Committee,  he  would  give  directions  to  all 
his  officers  and  traders  among  the  Indians,  in  their 
talk  and  discourses  to  make  no  distinction  between 
the  two  Provinces,  but  to  speak  in  the  name  and 
behalf  of  his  Majesty's  subjects.^ 

It  seems,  however,  that  the  Committee  were  not 
satisfied ;  primarily  because  licenses  w  ere  requir- 
ed, and  especially  that  they  must  come  through  the 
hands  of  the  Governor  of  Georgia. 

In  a  few  days  after  this  conference  Oglethorpe 
returned  to  Frederica.  On  the  latter  part  of  Sep- 
tember he  renewed  the  commission  of  the  Honora- 
ble Charles  Dempsey,  impowering  him  to  state  to 
the  Governor  of  St.  Augustine  terms  for  a  conven- 
tional adjustment  of  the  misunderstanding  between 
the  two  Provinces.     This  he   eventually  effected, 

'  Report  of  the  Committee,  &c.,  p.  106,  107. 


158  DEMPSEY'S   TREATY. 

and  a  treaty  was  concluded  on  the  27th  of  Octo- 
ber following,  much  more  conciliatorj,  on  the  part 
of  the  Spaniards,  than  he  had  expected.  This, 
however,  proved  ineffectual,  and  the  pleasing  anti- 
cipations of  restored  harmony  which  it  seemed  to 
authorize,  were  shortly  frustrated  by  a  message 
from  the  Governor  of  St.  Augustine  to  acquaint 
him  that  a  Spanish  Minister  had  arrived  from  Cuba, 
charged  with  a  communication  which  he  desired  an 
opportunity  of  delivering  in  person.  At  a  confer- 
ence which  ensued,  the  Commissioner  perempto- 
rily required  that  Oglethorpe  and  his  people  should 
immediately  evacuate  all  the  territory  to  the  south- 
ward of  St.  Helena's  Sound,  as  that  belonged  to 
the  King  of  Spain,  who  was  determined  to  vindi- 
cate his  right  to  it.  He  refused  to  listen  to  any  ar- 
gument in  support  of  the  English  claim,  or  to  ad- 
mit the  validity  of  the  treaty  which  had  lately  been 
signed,  declaring  that  it  had  erred  in  the  conces- 
sions which  had  been  made.  He  then  unceremo- 
niously departed,  with  a  repetition  of  his  demand, 
accompanied  with  menaces. 

Perceiving  that  the  most  vigorous  measures,  and 
a  stronger  defensive  force  than  the  Province  could 
supply,  would  be  necessary  to  overawe  the  hostile 
purposes  displayed  by  Spain,  or  repel  them  if  put 
in  execution,  Oglethorpe  resolved  to  represent  the 


OGLETHORPE   GOES   TO  ENGLAND.  159 

State  of  affairs  to  the  British  Ministers,  and  straight- 
way embarking,  set  sail  for  England.'  He  ar- 
rived at  the  close  of  the  jear ;  and,  presenting 
himself  before  the  Board  of  Trustees,  "  received  an 
unanimous  vote  of  thanks,  as  he  had  made  this 
second,  as  well  as  his  first  expedition  to  Georgia, 
entirely  at  his  own  expense."  ^ 

'  Hewatt,  IL  47,  and  Graham,  IIL  200,  totidem  verbis. 
*  London  Magazine,  October,  1757,  p.  545. 


CHAPTER    X. 

Delegation  of  the  Missionaries  —  John  Wesley  stationed  at  Savan- 
nah —  Has  a  conference  with  Tomo  Chichi  —  His  Preaching 
deemed  personal  in  its  applications  —  He  becomes  unpopular  — 
Meets  with  persecution  —  Leaves  the  Province  and  returns  to 
England  —  Charles  Wesley  attends  Oglethorpe  to  Frederica  — 
Finds  himself  unpleasantly  situated  —  Furnished  with  despatches 
for  the  Trustees,  he  sets  out  for  Charlestown,  and  thence  takes 
passage  for  England  —  By  stress  of  weather  the  Vessel  driven 
off  its  course  —  Puts  in  at  Boston,  New  England  —  His  reception 
there  —  Sails  thence  for  England  —  After  a  perilous  voyage  ar- 
rives—  Benjamin  Ingham  also  at  Frederica  —  Goes  to  Savannah 
to  apprize  John  Wesley  of  the  sickness  of  his  brother  —  Resides 
among  the  Creeks  in  order  to  learn  their  language  —  Returns  to 
England  —  Charles  Delamotte  at  Savannah  —  Keeps  a  School 

—  Is  much  respected  —  George  Whitefield  comes  to  Savannah 

—  His  reception  —  Visits  Tomo  Chichi,  who  was  sick  —  Minis- 
terial labors —  Visits  the  Saltzburgers  —  Pleased  with  their  pro- 
vision for  Orphan  Children  —  Visits  Frederica  and  the  adjacent 
Settlements  —  Returns  to  England  —  Makes  a  second  voyage  to 
Georgia,  and  takes  efficient  measures  for  the  erection  of  an  Orphan 
House. 

In  order  to  show  circumstantially  the  progress  of 
colonization,  by  following  Oglethorpe  with  his  new 


JOHN  WESLEY.  161 

and  large  accession  of  emigrants  and  military  forces 
to  their  destined  places  of  settlement  on  the  borders 
of  the  Alatamaha  and  the  southern  islands,  all  men- 
tion of  the  reception  and  treatment  of  the  Wesleys, 
whom  he  had  brought  over  as  religious  missionaries, 
has  been  deferred.  The  relation  is  introduced  now, 
as  a  kind  of  episode. 

The  delegation  of  these  pious  evangelists  was 
encouraged  by  flattering  suggestions,  and  acceded 
to  with  the  most  raised  expectations  ;  and  its  ob- 
jects were  pursued  by  them  with  untiring  zeal  and 
unsparing  self-devotedness,  through  continual  hin- 
drances. The  opposition  which  they  met  was  en- 
countered with  "  all  long-suffering  and  patience  ;  " 
but  their  best  efforts  were  unavailing ;  "  and  their 
mission  closed,  too  speedily,  in  saddened  disap- 
pointment. 

1.  John  Wesley,  though  stationed  at  Savannah, 
did  not  consider  himself  so  much  a  Minister  to  the 
inhabitants  as  a  missionary  to  the  Indians.  When- 
ever he  mentioned  his  uneasiness  at  being  obstructed 
in  his  main  design,  he  was  answered  "You  cannot 
leave  Savannah  without  a  Minister."  To  this  he 
rejoined,  "  My  plain  answer  is,  I  know  not  that  I 
am  under  any  obligations  to  the  contrary.  I  never 
promised  to  stay  here  one  month.  I  openly  de- 
clared,  both  before,   and   ever   since    my  coming 

21 


162  JOHN   WESLEY. 

hither,  that  I  neither  would  nor  could  take  charge 
of  the  English  any  longer  than  till  I  could  go  among 
the  Indians."  It  was  rejoined,  "  But  did  not  the 
Trustees  of  Georgia  apjDoint  you  to  be  Minister  at 
Savannah  ?  "  He  replied,  "  They  did  ;  but  it  was 
done  without  either  my  desire  or  knowledge.  There- 
fore I  cannot  conceive  that  that  appointment  could 
lay  me  under  any  obligation  of  continuing;  here 
longer  than  till  a  door  is  opened  to  the  Heathen  ; 
and  this  I  expressly  declared  at  the  time  I  consented 
to  accept  that  appointment."  ^ 

Oglethorpe  had  been  so  impressed  with  what  he 
had  seen  of  the  natives,  that  he  had  written  home 
that  "  a  door  seemed  opened  for  the  conversion  of 
the  Indians."  These  favorable  expectations  were 
greatly  increased  by  the  visit  to  England  of  Tomo 
Chichi  and  his  train.  They  seemed  to  be  fully 
authorized  by  the  declarations  which  were  made 
by  them  to  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  and 
other  clergy  ;  and  they  appeared  to  be  put  in  a 
train  of  accomplishment  by  the  interest  taken  for 
facilitating  that  purpose  by  the  manual  of  instruc- 
tion for  the  ladians  which  was  preparing  by  Bishop 
Wilson.    But  when  Tomo  Chichi  came  to  welcome 

'  Life  of  Rev.  John  Wesley,  A.  M.,  in  which  is  included  the  Life 
of  his  Brother  Charles  Wesley,  A.  M,  By  Rev.  Henry  Moore. 
Land.  1S24,  2  vols.  8vo.     Vol.  I.  p.  310. 


JOHN  WESLEY.  jgg 

the  Governor  on  his  arrival,  and  was  introduced  to 
the  intended  teacher,  it  appeared  that  unforeseen 
obstacles  had  arisen.  "  I  am  glad  you  are  come," 
said  the  Mico,  addressing  him  through  the  female 
interpreter.  "  When  I  was  in  England  I  desired 
that  some  would  speak  the  great  word  to  me  ;  and 
our  people  then  desired  to  hear  it ;  but  now  we  are 
all  in  confusion.  The  French  on  one  side,  and  the 
Spanish  on  the  other,  and  the  Traders  in  the  midst, 
have  caused  us  much  perplexity ;  and  made  our 
people  unwilling.  Their  ears  are  shut.  Their 
tongues  are  divided,  and  some  say  one  thing,  and 
some  another.  But  1  will  call  together  our  chiefs, 
and  speak  to  the  wise  men  of  our  nation,  and  I 
hope  they  will  hear.  But  we  would  not  be  made 
Christians  as  the  Spaniards  make  Christians.  We 
would  be  taught ;  and  then,  when  we  understand 
all  clearly,  be  baptized."  ^  There  was  good  sense 
in  this  remark.  They  would  be  informed  of  the 
evidences  of  the  truth  of  Christianity,  and  have  its 
principles  and  doctrines  explained  to  them,  and  its 
precepts,  tendency,  and  design  illustrated  ;  and 
hence  be  enabled  to  adopt  it  from  conviction.  This 
they  would  do,  when  they  were  made  to  understand 

^  Account  of  the  Settlement  of  the  Saltzburg  Emigrants  at 
Ebenezer,ia  Georgia.  By  Philip  George  Frederic  von  Reck.  Ham- 
burgh, 1777.     12mo,   p.  7. 


164  JOHN  WESLEY. 

how  it  was  a  divine  revelation,  and  saw  its  effects 
in  the  life  of  its  professors.  But  the  reply  of  Wes- 
ley was  not  simple  enough  to  be  comprehended  by 
him.  It  was  this  ;  "  There  is  but  one,  —  He  that 
sitteth  in  the  heaven, — who  is  able  to  teach  man 
wisdom.  Though  we  are  come  so  far,  we  know 
not  whether  He  will  please  to  teach  you  by  us,  or 
no.  If  He  teaches  you,  you  will  learn  wisdom  ; 
but  we  can  do  nothing."  All  the  inference  which 
the  poor  Indian  could  draw  from  this  was,  that  he 
who  had  come  as  a  religious  teacher  disclaimed  his 
own  abilities,  and  referred  to  a  divine  Instructer,  of 
whom  the  Mico  could  know  nothing  as  yet,  by 
whom  alone  the  converting  knowledge  was  to  be 
communicated. 

Moreover,  he  had  been  an  observer  of  the  dispo- 
sition and  conduct  of  those  who  called  themselves 
Christians  ;  and,  at  another  interview  with  Wesley, 
when  urged  to  listen  to  the  doctrines  of  Christian- 
ity, and  become  a  convert,  he  keenly  replied,  "  Why 
these  are  Christians  at  Savannah  !  Those  are  Chris- 
tians at  Frederica  !  "  Nor  was  it  without  good 
reason  that  he  exclaimed,  "  Christians  drunk ! 
Christians  beat  men  !  Christians  tell  lies  !  Me 
no  Christian." 

Scenawki,  however,  had  more  courtesy.  She 
presented  the  Missionaries  with  two  large  jars  of 


JOHN  WESLEY.  165 

honey,  and  one  of  milk ;  and  invited  them  to  come 
up  to  Yamacraw,  and  teach  the  children,  saying, 
the  honey  represented  the  inclination  of  the  people 
there,  and  the  milk  the  need  of  their  children. 
What  a  beautiful  illustration  of  the  mode  of  teach- 
ing practised  by  the  Apostle  !  "  I  have  fed  you 
with  milk,  and  not  with  meat ; "  adapting  the 
instruction  to  the  capacity  of  those  to  whom  it 
was  imparted,  and  "  as  they  were  able  to  receive 
it,"  could  properly  digest  it,  "  and  be  nourished 
thereby." 

Other  conferences  effected  little ;  and  as  Mrs. 
Musgrove  did  not  reside  at  Yamacraw,  and  could 
not  often  assist  him  as  an  interpreter ;  and,  per- 
haps, could  not  readily  make  perspicuous  in  the 
Indian  dialect  what  was  somewhat  more  mystical 
than  even  his  English  hearers  could  comprehend, 
his  cherished  purposes  for  the  conversion  of  the  In- 
dians seemed  to  be  thwarted.  Besides,  the  condi- 
tion of  the  people  at  Savannah  was  such  as  to  re- 
quire clerical  services,  and  he  gave  himself  wholly 
to  them. 

For  some  time  his  labors  as  a  preacher  promised 
to  be  successful ;  "  and  all  would  have  been  well," 
says  Southey,  "could  he  but  have  remembered  the 
advice  of  Dr.  Burton."  This  was  contained  in  a 
letter  addressed  to  him  a  few  days  before  embark- 


166  JOHN  WESLEY. 

ing  for  Georgia.  Among  other  things,  this  excel- 
lent friend  suggested  to  him  that,  under  the  influ- 
ence of  Mr.  Oglethorpe,  giving  weight  to  his  en- 
deavors, much  may  be  effected  in  the  present 
undertaking  ;  and  goes  on  to  remark  ;  "  With  re- 
gard to  your  behavior  and  manner  of  address,  these 
must  be  determined  according  to  the  different  cir- 
cumstances of  persons,  &c.  ;  but  you  will  always, 
in  the  use  of  means,  consider  the  great  end  ;  and, 
therefore,  your  applications  will  of  course  vary. 
You  will  keep  in  view  the  pattern  of  the  Gospel 
preacher,  St.  Paul,  who  '  became  all  things  to  all 
men,  that  he  might  save  some.'  Here  is  a  nice 
trial  of  christian  prudence.  Accordingly,  in  every 
case  you  will  distinguish  between  what  is  indispen- 
sable, and  what  is  variable ;  between  what  is  di- 
vine, and  what  is  of  human  authority.  I  mention 
this,  because  men  are  apt  to  deceive  themselves  in 
such  cases ;  and  we  see  the  traditions  and  ordi- 
nances of  men  frequently  insisted  on  with  more 
rigor  than  the  commandments  of  God,  to  which 
they  are  subordinate.  Singularities  of  less  impor- 
tance, are  often  espoused  with  more  zeal  than  the 
weighty  matters  of  God's  law.  As  in  all  points 
we  love  ourselves,  so,  especially,  in  our  hypotheses. 
Where  a  man  has,  as  it  were,  a  property  in  a  no- 
tion, he  is  most  industrious  to  improve  it,  and  that 


JOHN  WESLEY.  167 

in  proportion  to  the  labor  of  thought  he  has  bestow- 
ed upon  it ;  and,  as  its  value  rises  in  imagination, 
he  is,  in  proportion,  unwilling  to  give  it  up,  and 
dwells  upon  it  more  pertinaciously  than  upon  con- 
siderations of  general  necessity  and  use.  This  is  a 
flattering  mistake,  against  which  we  should  guard 
ourselves." 

Unmindful  of  such  counsel,  the  eagerness  of 
Wesley  to  effect  reformation  was  pressed  too  pre- 
cipitately and  carried  too  far.  His  sermons  had 
such  direct  reference,  not  only  to  the  state  of  affairs, 
but  the  conduct  of  individuals,  that  they  were  shrunk 
from  as  personal  allusions.  His  zeal  was  excessive, 
and  his  practice  exclusive.^ 

'  Mr.  SoxJTHEY  has  this  remark  —  "He  was  accused  of  making 
his  sermons  so  many  satires  upon  particular  persons ;  and  for  this 
cause  his  auditors  fell  oiT;  for  though  one  might  have  been  very 
well  pleased  to  hear  others  preached  at,  no  person  liked  the  chance 
of  being  made  the  mark  himself."  —  Moreover,  "following  the 
rubric,  in  opposition  to  the  practice  of  the  English  church,  he  in- 
sisted upon  baptizing  children  by  immersion,  and  refused  to  baptize 
them  if  the  parents  did  not  consent  to  this  rude  and  perilous  method. 
Some  persons  he  Avould  not  receive  as  sponsors,  because  they  were 
not  communicants;  and  when  one  of  the  most  pious  men  in  the 
Colony  earnestly  desired  to  be  admitted  to  the  communion,  he  re- 
fused to  admit  him  because  he  was  a  Dissenter,  unless  he  would  be 
rebaptized.  And  he  would  not  read  the  burial  service  over  another 
for  the  same  reason,  or  one  founded  on  the  same  principle."  Life 
of  Wesley,  hj  Robert  Southey,  Neio  York  edition,  1820,  Vol.  I. 
p.  108. — Instances  of  personal  reference  in  preaching,  and  of  its 


168  JOHN  WESLEY. 

For  these  and  other  reasons,  and  in  some  re- 
spects most  unreasonably,  the  people  at  Savannah 
became  prejudiced  against  him,  and  so  disaffected 
that  "  he  perceived  that  his  preaching  was  not 
likely  to  be  attended  with  beneficial  influence. 
Hence,  having  in  vain  sought  an  accommodation 
with  his  opponents,  without  in  the  least  relaxing 
from  the  enforcement  of  his  principles,  and  disap- 
pointed in  the  prime  object  of  his  mission,  that  of 
preaching  to  the  Indians,  he  resolved  to  quit  the 
Colony,  and  return  to  his  native  land."  ^ 

Another  circumstance  brought  the  whole  scene 
of  his  trials  to  a  catastrophe.  Sophia  Hopkins,  the 
niece  of  Mrs.  Causton,  wife  of  Thomas  Causton, 
Esq.,  chief  magistrate  of  the  place,  had  been  a  pu- 
pil to  him  to  learn  French,  was  a  professed  convert 
to  his  ministry,  and  become  a  member  of  the  Church. 
Her  beauty,  accomplishments,  and  manners,  were 
fascinating ;  and  she  appears,  by  some  coquettish 
advances,  to  have  won  his  affections.  Delamotte, 
however,  doubting  the  sincerity  of  her  pretensions 
to  piety,  cautioned  his  friend  Wesley  against  cher- 
ishing a  fond  attachment.     The  Moravian  Elders, 

alienating  effects,  are  mentioned  by  Mr.  Stevens,  in  his  Journal, 
Vol.  I.  pp.  15,  19,  and  elsewhere. 

'  Memoir  of  the  Rev.  John  Wesley,  prefixed  to  a  volume  of  his 
Sermons,  by  Samuel  Drew,  page  xvi. 


JOHN  WESLEY.  |g9 

also,  advised  him  not  to  think  of  a  matrimonial 
connection.  In  consequence  of  this,  his  conduct 
towards  her  became  reserved  and  distant;  very 
naturally,  to  her  mortification  ;  though  her  own 
affections  had  been  preengaged,  for  she  soon  after 
married  a  Mr.  Williamson.  But  a  hostile  feeling 
had  been  excited  against  him  by  her  friends,  for 
the  manifestation  of  which  an  opportunity  was  af- 
forded about  five  months  after  her  marriage.  Wes- 
ley having  discovered  in  her  conduct  several  things 
which  he  thought  blameworthy,  with  his  wonted 
ingenuousness,  frankly  mentioned  them  to  her ; 
intimating  that  they  were  not  becoming  a  partici- 
pant of  the  Lord's  Supper.  She,  in  return,  became 
angry.  For  reasons,  therefore,  which  he  stated  to 
her  in  a  letter,  he  cautioned  her  not  to  come  to 
the  ordinance  till  she  could  do  it  in  a  reconciled 
temper. 

The  storm  now  broke  forth  upon  him.  A  com- 
plaint was  entered  to  the  magistrates  ;  an  indict- 
ment filed,  and  a  warrant  issued,  by  which  he  was 
brought  before  the  Recorder,  on  the  charges  of  Mr. 
Williamson,  —  1st,  That  he  had  defamed  his  wife ; 
and,  2dly,  That  he  had  causelessly  repelled  her 
from  the  Holy  Communion.  Wesley  denied  the 
first  charge ;  and  the  second,  being  wholly  eccle- 
siastical, he  would  not  acknowledge  the  authority 

22 


170  CHARLES  WESLEY. 

of  the  magistrate  to  decide  upon  it.  He  was,  liow- 
ever,  told  that  he  must  appear  before  the  next 
court,  to  be  holden  at  Savannah,  August  term, 
1737.  In  the  mean  time  pains  were  taken  by  Mr. 
Causton  to  pack  and  influence  the  jury.  There 
were  debates  and  rude  management  in  the  court. 
No  pleas  of  defence  were  admitted.  The  evidence 
was  discordant.  Twelve  of  the  grand  jurors  drew 
up  a  protest  against  the  proceedings.  The  magis- 
trates, themselves,  after  repeated  adjournments, 
could  come  to  no  decision ;  and  justice  was  not 
likely  to  be  awarded.  Wearied  with  this  Htigious 
prosecution,  Wesley  applied  to  his  own  case  the 
direction  given  by  our  Lord  to  his  Apostles,  "  If 
they  persecute  thee  in  one  place,  flee  unto  another  ;" 
and,  shaking  ofl"  the  dust  of  his  feet  as  a  witness 
against  them,  he  fled  to  Charlestown,  South  Caro- 
lina ;  whence,  on  Thursday,  the  22d  of  December, 
1737,  he  embarked  for  England.  After  a  pleasant 
passage,  he  landed  at  Deal,  February,  1738,  as  he 
remarks,  "on  the  anniversary  festival  in  Georgia, 
for  Mr.  Oglethorpe's  landing  there."  As  he  enter- 
ed the  channel,  on  his  return,  Mr.  Whitefield  sailed 
through  it,  on  a  mission  ;  not  to  be  his  coadjutor, 
as  he  expected,  but,  as  it  proved,  his  successor. 

II.  The  situation  of  Charles  Wesley  was  an- 
noyed by  like  discomfitures,  and  followed  by  still 


CHARLES   WESLEY.  17] 

greater  disappointment.  He  had  received  the  most 
flattering  "accounts  of  Georgia  from  the  conversa- 
tion of  Oglethorpe,  with  whom  he  had  been  for 
some  time  acquainted  ;  and  from  the  httle  book 
which  this  gentleman  had  published.  Implicitly 
confiding  in  the  high  wrought  descriptions  which 
had  been  given  him,  and  indulging  anticipations  of 
a  colonization  of  more  than  Utopian  excellence,  he 
attended  his  brother  to  Georgia,  and  attached  him- 
self to  Oglethorpe,  whose  warm  professions  had 
won  him  to  his  service  both  as  Secretary  and  Chap- 
lain. 

His  destination  was  to  the  new  settlement  at 
Frederica  ;  and  there  he  arrived,  with  his  patron, 
on  the  9th  of  March,  1736.  The  first  person  who 
saluted  him,  as  he  stept  on  shore,  was  Ingham,  his 
intimate,  confidential,  and  highly  valued  friend; 
who  had  preceded  him  thither.  The  meeting  was 
truly  pleasant ;  but  what  he  learned  from  him  of 
the  state  of  affairs  there,  and  of  "  the  treatment 
which  he  had  met  for  vindicating  the  sanctity  of 
the  Lord's  day,"  was  a  saddening  indication  of  the 
reverse  which  his  cherished  anticipations  were  soon 
to  meet.  He  was  apprised  by  it,  however,  of  the 
necessity  of  taking  measures  for  procuring  a  more 
sober  observance  of  the  Sabbath  in  future.  Ac- 
cordingly, as  he  had  been  announced  to  the  settlers 


172  CHARLES  WESLEY. 

as  their  religious  instructor  and  guide,  he  spent  the 
remainder  of  the  week  in  visits  to  their  families, 
and  in  seeking  that  personal  acquaintance  with 
them,  without  which,  he  well  knew  that  general 
instruction  would  be  of  little  use  ;  but,  he  observes, 
"  with  what  trembling  should  I  call  this  flock 
mine  !  "  In  the  evening  he  read  prayers,  in  the 
open  air;  at  which  Oglethorpe  was  present.  He 
observed  that  the  lesson  seemed  remarkably  adapt- 
ed to  his  situation,  and  that  he  felt  the  power  of  it; 
particularly  of/  the  passage,  "  continue  instant  in 
prayer,  and  watch  in  the  same  with  thanksgiving ; 
withal  praying  also  for  us,  that  God  would  open  a 
door  of  utterance,  to  speak  the  mystery  of  Christ, 
that  I  may  make  it  manifest  as  I  ought  to  speak."  * 
In  the  public  discharge  of  his  duties  as  a  clergy- 
man, he  was  solemn  and  fervent ;  and  his  preach- 
ing evinced  "  how  forcible  are  right  words."  But 
in  his  daily  intercourse  with  this  heterogeneous 
population,  he  was  not  always  aware  that  clerical 
intimacy  should  never  descend  to  familiarity.  He 
overheard  rude  speeches  and  gossipping  tattle  ;  and 
was  made  acquainted  with  some  domestic  bicker- 
ings and  feuds ;  and  kindly,  though  not  always  dis- 
cretely, endeavored  to  check  them  ;  but  his  media- 

'  Colossians,  IV,  3 


CHARLES  WESLEY.  I73 

tioii  was  repelled  as  uncalled-for  interference.^  To 
use  the  words  of  his  biographer,  "  he  attempted 
the  doubly  difficult  task  of  reforming  the  gross  im- 
proprieties, and  reconciling  some  of  the  petty 
jealousies  and  quarrels  with  each  other ;  in  which 
he  effected  little  else  than  making  them  unite  in 
opposing  him,  and  caballing  to  get  rid  of  him  in 
any  way."^  Hence  complaints  were  made  to 
Oglethorpe,  who,  instead  of  discountenancing  them 
decidedly,  and  vindicating,  or  at  least  upholding 
him  whom  he  had  brought  over,  and  placed  in  an 
office  where  he  ought  to  have  demanded  for  him  a 
treatment  of  deference  and  respect,  himself  listen- 
ed too  readily  to  complaints  and  invectives,  and 
suffered  them  to  prejudice  him  against  the  truly 
amiable,  ingenuous,  and  kind-hearted  minister.  In- 
stead of  putting  candid  constructions  on  well- 
meant  purposes,  of  cautioning  his  inexperience,  or 
giving  friendly  advice,  he  treated  him  with  coldness 
and  neglect.^     The  only  apology  for  this  is  that 

'  "  He  that  passeth  by  and  meddleth  with  strife  belonging  not  to 
him,  is  like  one  that  taketh  a  dog  by  the  ears."  Proverbs,  XXVL 
17.  He  who  inconsiderately  engages  in  other  men's  quarrels,  whom 
he  lights  upon  by  chance,  and  in  which  he  is  not  concerned,  will 
assuredly  suffer  by  his  interference. 

'  Southey's  Life  of  the  Wesleys,  Vol.  L  p.  107, 

^  In  the  life  of  Wesley  by  Moore,  is  an  affecting  detail  of  partic- 
ulars, taken  from  the  unpublished  Journal  of  Charles  Wesley,  Vol. 
I.  p.  265-285. 


174  CHARLES  WESLEY. 

suggested  by  Southey.^  "  The  Governor,  who  had 
causes  enough  to  disquiet  him,  arising  from  the  pre- 
carious state  of  the  Colony,  was  teased  and  soured 
by  the  complaints  which  were  perpetually  brought 
against  the  two  brothers,  and  soon  began  to  wish 
that  he  had  brought  with  him  men  of  more  prac- 
ticable tempers."  In  some  hours  of  calmer  reflec- 
tion, however,  he  felt  the  compunctious  visitings  of 
conscience,  and  convinced  of  the  injustice  which 
he  had  done  to  Mr.  Wesley,  "  in  the  most  solemn 
manner  he  professed  to  him  his  regret  for  his  un- 
kind usage ;  and,  to  express  his  sincerity,  embraced 
and  kissed  him  with  the  most  cordial  affection." 
Realizing,  however,  that  the  situation  of  this  ag- 
grieved and  disheartened  man  was  such  that  his 
usefulness  here  was  at  an  end,  and  finding  it  neces- 
sary to  make  a  special  communication  to  the  Trus- 
tees, relative  to  the  internal  distractions  among  the 
first  settlers ;  to  the  Board  of  Trade  on  the  subject 
of  exports  and  commercial  relations  ;  and  to  the 
Government,  respecting  the  exposed  situation  of 
the  Colony,  he  commissioned  him  to  carry  the  des- 
patches. 

On  the  26th  of  July,  1736,  he  set  out  for  Charles- 
town,  to  take  passage  to  England  ;  and,  on  the  16th 
of  August,  went  on  board  the  London  Galley.    But 

'  Life  of  Wesley,  Vol.  L  p.  107. 


CHARLES  WESLEY.  I75 

the  passengers  and  sailors  soon  found  that  the  Cap- 
tain, while  on  shore,  had  negleeted  every  thing  to 
which  he  ought  to  have  attended.  The  vessel  was 
too  leaky  to  bear  the  voyage ;  and  the  Captain 
drinking  nothing  scarcely  but  gin,  had  never  troubled 
his  head  about  taking  in  water ;  so  that  they  were 
soon  reduced  to  short  allowance,  which,  in  that 
sultry  clime  and  season  of  the  year,  was  a  distres- 
sing predicament.  Meeting,  too,  with  violent  squalls 
of  wind,  they  were  driven  off  their  course.  The 
leak  became  alarming,  and  their  troubles  increased 
so  fast  upon  them,  that  they  were  obliged  to  steer 
for  Boston  in  New  England  ;  where  they  arrived, 
with  much  difficulty  and  danger,  on  the  2d  of  Sep- 
tember. 

Wesley  was  soon  known  at  Boston  ;  and  met  a 
hospitable  reception  among  the  Ministers,  both  of 
the  town  and  neighborhood.  In  a  letter  to  his 
brother,  he  thus  describes  the  attentions  that  were 
paid  to  him.  "  I  am  wearied  with  this  hospitable 
people  ;  they  so  teaze  me  with  their  civilities.  They 
do  not  suffer  me  to  be  alone.  The  clergy,  who 
come  from  the  country  on  a  visit,  drag  me  with 
them  when  they  return.^  I  am  constrained  to  take 
a  view  of  this  New  England,  more  pleasant  even 

*  Referring  to  the  weekly  assembling  of  the  Clergy  from  the 
neighboring  towns  to  attend  the  Thursday  Lecture. 


176  CHARLES  WESLEY. 

than  the  Old.  And,  compared  with  the  region  in 
which  I  last  resided,  I  cannot  help  exclaiming,  O 
happj  country  that  breeds  neither  flies,  nor  croco- 
diles, nor  prevaricators  !  " ' 

The  repairs  of  the  vessel  detained  him  here  till 
the  15th  of  October,  when  thev  sailed.  Thev  had 
a  most  perilous  passage,  and  encountered  violent 
storms  ;  but  on  the  third  of  December  arrived  oppo- 
site Deal ;  and  the  passengers  went  safe  on  shore. 

III.  Ingham  had  his  station  assigned  him  at 
Frederica  ;  and  there  his  prudence  preserved  him 
from  the  vexations  with  which  his  cherished  com- 

'  Having  found  that  letters  to  his  brother  were  intercepted  and 
read,  before  they  were  delivered,  he  wrote  sometimes  in  Latin,  and 
even  passages  in  Greek.  This,  dated  Boston,  October  5th,  1736, 
was  in  Latin,  and  I  give  the  extract  here,  of  which  the  text  is  a 
translation.  "  Tsedet  me  populi  hujusce,  ita  me  urbanitate  sua 
divexant  et  persequuntur.  Non  patiuntur  me  esse  solum.  E  rure 
veniunt  Clerici ;  me  revertentes  in  rure  trahunt.  Cogor  hunc  Angli- 
cum  contemplari,  etiam  antiqua  amoeniorem ;  et  nequeo  non  excla- 
raare,  0  fortinata  regio,  nee  muscas  alens,  nee  crocodilos,  nee  dela- 
tores ! "  [When  Mr.  C.  Wesley  was  at  Frederica,  the  sand-flies 
were  one  night  so  exceedingly  troublesome,  that  he  was  obliged  to 
rise  at  one  o'clock,  and  smoke  them  out  of  his  hut.  He  tells  us 
that  the  whole  town  was  employed  in  the  same  way.  By  crocodile 
he  means  the  species  called  alligator.  When  at  Savannah,  he  and 
Mr.  Delamotte  used  to  bathe  in  the  river  between  four  and  five 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  before  the  alligators  were  stirring,  but  they 
heard  them  snoring  all  round  them.  One  morning  Mr.  Delamotte 
was  in  great  danger;  an  alligator  rose  just  behind  him,  and  pur- 
sued him  to  the  land,  whither  he  escaped  with  difficulty.] 


BENJAMIN   INGHAM.  I77 

panion  was  annoyed.  In  behalf  of  that  persecuted 
and  dispirited  friend,  he  went  to  Savannah,  to  in- 
form John  Wesley  of  the  opposition  of  the  people 
to  his  brother.  He  tarried  there  to  supply  John's 
place  during  his  absence  on  the  visit  of  sympathy 
and  counsel,  of  mediation  or  rescue.  Returning  to 
Frederica,  he  remained  there  till  the  13th  of  May, 
when  he  accompanied  Charles  to  Savannah,  whither 
he  went  to  receive  the  Indian  traders  on  their  com- 
ing down  to  take  out  their  licenses.  He  accom- 
panied them  to  the  upper  Creeks  ;  among  whom  he 
resided  several  months,  and  employed  himself  in 
making  a  vocabulary  of  their  language,  and  com- 
posing a  grammar.^ 

On  the  24th  of  February,  1737,  it  was  agreed 
that  he  should  go  to  England,  and  "  endeavor  to 
bring  over,  if  it  should  please  God,  some  of  their 
friends  to  strengthen  their  hands  in  his  work."  ^  By 
him  John  Wesley  wrote  to  Oglethorpe,  who  had 
sailed  for  England,  and  to  Dr.  Brady's  associates, 
who  had  sent  a  library  to  Savannah. 

Ingham  is  mentioned  by  Whitefield,  in  terms  of 
high  regard,  as  fellow-laborer  with  the  Wesleys, 
and  "  an  Israelite  indeed." 

*  SouTHEY,  I.  122,  note;  mention  is  also  made  of  him  in  Ckaxz's 
History  of  the  United  Brethren,  p.  228. 
^  Moore's  Lives  of  the  Wesleys,  I.  315. 
23 


178  DELAMOTTE   AND  WHITEFIELD. 

IV.  Delamotte  remained,  from  the  first,  with 
John  Wesley  at  Savannah.  He  kept  a  school,  in 
which  he  taught  between  thirty  and  forty  children 
to  read,  write,  and  cast  accounts.  "  Before  public 
worship  on  the  afternoon  of  the  Lord's  day,  he 
catechized  the  lower  class,  and  endeavored  to  fix 
some  things  of  what  was  said  by  the  Minister  in 
their  understandings  as  well  as  their  memories.  In 
the  morning  he  instructed  the  larger  children."^ 

He  returned  to  England  in  the  Whitaker,  Captain 
Whiting ;  the  ship  that  brought  out  Mr.  Whitefield, 
June  2d,  1738.  "  The  good  people  lamented  the 
loss  of  him,  and  great  reason  had  they  to  do  so  ; 
and  went  to  the  waterside  to  take  a  last  farewell." 

V.  George  Whitefield  was  the  intimate  friend 
of  the  Wesleys  and  of  Ingham  ;  and  he  states,  in 
his  Journal,  that  when  they  were  in  Georgia  he 
received  letters  from  them  ;  and  that  their  descrip- 
tion of  the  moral  condition  of  the  Colony  affected 
his  heart  powerfully,  and  excited  a  strong  desire  to 
join  them,  to  assist  them  in  the  work  in  which  they 
were  occupied,  and  become  "  a  partaker  with  them 
in  the  afflictions  of  the  gospel."  Such  an  under- 
taking was  suited  to  his  energetic  and  enterprizing 
character  ;  and  therefore  engaged  much  of  his  at- 
tention. 

'  Here  is  a  prototype  of  the  modern  Sunday-schools. 


GEORGE  WHITEFIELD.  179 

On  the  return  of  Charles  Wesley  to  England,  he 
learned  more  of  the  situation  of  the  Colonists,  and 
of  their  great  need  of  religious  instruction  ;  and 
when  Ingham  came  with  special  reference  to  pro- 
curing assistance,  he  expressed  his  readiness  to  go 
on  the  mission.  In  the  letter  which  he  received  by 
him  from  John  Wesley  was  this  direct  reference, 
"  Only  Delamotte  is  with  me,  till  God  shall  stir  up 
the  heart  of  some  of  his  servants,  who,  putting  their 
lives  in  his  hands,  shall  come  over  and  help  us,  where 
the  harvest  is  so  great  and  the  laborers  are  so  few. 
What  if  thou  art  the  man,  Mr.  Whitefield  ?  Do 
you  ask  me  what  you  shall  have  ?  Food  to  eat  and 
raiment  to  put  on  ;  a  house  to  lay  your  head  in, 
such  as  your  Lord  had  not ;  and  a  crown  of  glory 
that  fadeth  not  away  !  "  This,  and  another  letter, 
strengthened  the  desire,  which  soon  ripened  into  a 
purpose,  for  which  all  circumstances  seemed  favor- 
able. Charles,  too,  became  more  explicit,  and 
rather  urged  his  going.^ 

'  He  addressed  a  poem  to  him  in  which  are  these  verses  : 
"  Servant  of  God  !  the  summons  hear. 
Thy  Master  calls  !  arise  !  obey  ! 
The  tokens  of  his  will  appear, 

His  providence  points  out  the  way. 

Champion  of  God  !  thy  Lord  proclaim, 

Jesus  alone  resolve  to  know. 
Tread  down  thy  foes  in  Jesus'  name, 

And  conquering  and  to  conquer  go  !" 


180  GEORGE   WHITEFIELD. 

He  accordingly  went  up  to  London  to  tender  his 
services  to  Oglethorpe  and  the  Trustees ;  by  whom 
he  was  accepted  ;  and  he  left  London  on  the  latter 
part  of  December,  1737,  in  the  23d  year  of  his 
age,  to  take  passage  in  the  Whitaker,  Captain 
Whiting,  master,  on  a  voyage  to  Georgia.  It  was, 
however,  the  end  of  January  before  the  vessel  was 
fairly  on  its  way,  in  consequence  of  contrary  winds. 
They  sailed  from  the  Downs  a  few  hours  only  before 
the  vessel,  which  brought  Wesley  back,  cast  anchor 
there.  He  was  attended  on  his  passage  by  the 
Honorable  James  Habersham  and  his  brother.  They 
landed,  after  rather  a  circuitous  and  long  passage, 
on  the  7th  of  May,  1738.  Delamotte,  whom  Wes- 
ley had  left  schoolmaster  at  Savannah,  received  him 
at  the  Parsonage  house,  which  he  found  much  better 
than  he  expected.  Having  met  with  some  of  his 
predecessor's  converts  there,  he  read  prayers  on  the 
morrow,  and  expounded,  in  the  Court-house,  and 
waited  on  the  magistrates  ;  but,  being  taken  ill  of 
a  fever  and  ague,  he  was  confined  to  the  house  for 
a  week. 

Being  informed  that  Tomo  Chichi  was  sick,  nigh 
unto  death,  as  soon  as  he  could  venture  abroad  he 
made  him  a  visit.  The  Mico  lay  on  a  blanket,  thin 
and  meagre.  Scenawki,  his  wife,  sat  by,  fanning 
him  with  feathers.     There   was  none   who  could 


GEORGE  WHITEFIELD.  Ig] 

speak  English,  so  that  Mr.  Whitefield  could  only 
shake  hands  with  him  and  leave  him.  A  few  days 
after  he  went  again,  and  finding  Toonahowi  there, 
who  could  speak  English,  "  I  desired  him,"  says 
Whitefield,  "  to  ask  his  uncle  whether  he  thought 
he  should  die  ;  "  who  answered,  "  I  cannot  tell."  I 
then  asked,  where  he  thought  he  should  go,  after 
death  ?  He  replied  "  To  heaven."  But  alas  !  a 
further  questioning  led  the  solemn  visiter  to  an  un- 
favorable opinion  of  his  preparedness  for  such  a 
state  of  purity. 

When  Whitefield  had  recovered  so  as  to  com- 
mence his  labors,  he  remarked  that  every  part  bore 
the  aspect  of  an  infant  colony ;  that,  besides  preach- 
ing twice  a  day,  and  four  times  on  the  Lord's  day, 
he  visited  from  house  to  house,  and  was  in  general 
cordially  received,  and  always  respectfully ;  "  but 
from  time  to  time  found  that  ccelum  no7i  animum 
mutant,  qui  trans  mare  currunt.  '  Those  who  cross 
the  seas,  change  their  climate,  but  not  their  dispo- 
sition.' "  Though  lowered  in  their  circumstances, 
a  sense  of  what  they  formerly  were  in  their  native 
country  remained.  It  was  plainly  to  be  seen  that 
coming  over  was  not  so  much  a  matter  of  choice  as 
of  restraint ;  choosing  rather  to  be  poor  in  an  un- 
known country  abroad,  than  to  live  among  those 


182  GEORGE  WHITEFIELD. 

who  knew  them  in  more  affluent  circumstances  at 
home.* 

The  state  of  the  children  affected  him  deeply. 
The  idea  of  an  Orphan-House  in  Georgia  had  been 
suggested  to  him  by  Charles  Wesley,  before  he 
himself  had  any  thought  of  going  abroad  ;  and  now 
that  he  saw  the  condition  of  the  Colonists,  he  said, 
"  nothing  but  an  orphan-house  can  effect  the  edu- 
cation of  the  children."  From  this  moment  he  set 
his  heart  upon  founding  one,  as  soon  as  he  could 
raise  funds.  In  the  meantime,  he  did  what  he 
could.  He  opened  a  school  at  Highgate  and  Hamp- 
stead,  and  one  for  girls  at  Savannah.  He  then 
visited  the  Saltzburgers'  orphan-house  at  Ebene- 
zer  ;  and,  if  any  thing  was  wanting  to  perfect  his 
own  design,  or  to  inflame  his  zeal,  he  found  it 
there.  The  Saltzburgers  themselves  were  exiles 
for  conscience'  sake,  and  eminent  for  piety  and  in- 
dustry. Their  ministers,  Gronau  and  Bolzius,  were 
truly  evangelical.  Their  asylum,  which  they  had 
been  enabled  to  found  by  English  benevolence  for 
widows  and  orphans,  was  flourishing.  Whitefield 
was  so  delighted  with  the  order  and  harmony  of 
Ebenezer  that  he  gave  a  share  of  his  own  "  Poor's 
store  "  to  Bolzius  for  his  orphans.  Then  came  the 
scene  which  completed  his  purpose.    Bolzius  called 

'  Gillies'  Memoirs  of  Whitefield,  p.  27. 


GEORGE   WHITEFIELD.  183 

all  the  children  before  him,  and  catechized  them, 
and  exhorted  them  to  give  God  thanks  for  his  good 
providence  towards  them.  Then  prayed  with  them, 
and  made  them  pray  after  him.  Then  sung  a 
psalm.  Afterwards,  says  Whitefield  "  the  little 
lambs  came  and  shook  me  by  the  hand,  one  by  one, 
and  so  we  parted."  From  this  moment  Whitefield 
made  his  purpose  his  fate.^ 

As  opportunity  offered  he  visited  Frederica,  and 
the  adjacent  settlements  ;  and  says  that  he  often 
admired  that,  considering  the  circumstances  and 
disposition  of  the  first  settlers,  so  much  was  really 
done.  He  remarks  that  "  the  first  settlers  were 
chiefly  broken  and  decayed  tradesmen  from  London 
and  other  parts  of  England  ;  and  several  Scotch 
adventurers,  (Highlanders)  who  had  a  worthy  min- 
ister named  Macleod ;  a  few  Moravians,  and  the 
Saltzburgers,  who  w^ere  by  far  the  most  industrious 
of  the  whole  ;"  and  he  adds,  that  he  would  cheer- 
fully have  remained  with  them,  had  he  not  felt 
obliged  to  return  to  England  to  receive  priest's 
orders,  and  make  a  beginning  towards  laying  a 
foundation  of  the  orphan-house,  which  he  saw  was 
much  wanted. 

In  August  he  settled  a  schoolmaster,  leaving  Mr. 
Habersham  at  Savannah  ;  and,  parting  afiection- 

'  Phillips'  Life  and  Times  of  Whitefield,  p.  73. 


184  GEORGE  WHITEFIELD. 

atelj  with  his  flock,  he  went  to  Charlestown,  South 
Carolina,  and,  on  the  9th  of  September,  went  aboard 
the  Mary,  Captain  Coe,  for  England,  where  he 
arrived  in  the  latter  part  of  November,  1738. 

The  Trustees  for  the  Colony  received  him  cor- 
dially ;  were  pleased  to  express  their  satisfaction  at 
the  accounts  which  had  been  sent  them  of  his  con- 
duct and  services  during  his  stay  in  the  Colony ; 
and  having  been  requested  by  letters  sent,  unknown 
to  him,  from  the  magistrates  and  inhabitants,  they 
most  willingly  presented  to  him  the  living  of  Savan- 
nah, (though  he  insisted  upon  having  no  salary), 
and  as  readily  granted  him  five  hundred  acres  of 
land,  whereon  to  erect  an  Orphan-FIouse,  and  make 
a  garden  and  plantations;  to  collect  money  for 
which,  together  with  taking  priest's  orders,  were 
the  chief  motives  of  his  returning  to  England  so 
soon.' 

Without  extending  the  account  of  this  zealous, 
eloquent,  and  popular  preacher  any  further,  suffice 
it  to  say  that  he  was  greatly  successful  in  the  ob- 
ject of  his  visit,  and  his  appeals  to  public  charity  in 
behalf  of  the  Orphan-House  ;  that  he  returned  to 
Georgia,  and  on  March  11th,  1742,  laid  the  foun- 
dation of  that  edifice  ;  and,  both  in  America  and  in 
England,  continued  his  measures  for  its  establish- 
ment, till  he  saw  it  completed. 

'  Gillies,  p.  32. 


CHAPTER    XI. 

Oglethorpe  arrives  in  England  —  Trustees  petition  the  King  for 
military  aid  to  the  new  Colony  —  A  regiment  granted  —  Ogle- 
thorpe appointed  Commander  in  Chief  of  South  Carolina  and 
Georgia—  Part  of  the  regiment  sent  out  —  Oglethorpe  embarks 
for  Georgia  the  third  time  —  Remainder  of  the  regiment  arrive  — 
And  two  companies  from  Gibraltar  —  Prospect  of  war  with 
Spain  —  Military  preparations  at  St.  Augustine  —  Oglethorpe 
makes  arrangements  for  defence  —  Treason  in  the  Camp  — 
Mutiny,  and  personal  assault  on  the  General. 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees  of  Georgia,  Wed- 
nesday, January  19th,  1737,  Mr.  Oglethorpe,  newly 
returned  hither,  had  the  unanimous  thanks  of  the 
board.  He  informed  them  that  Savannah  had 
greatly  increased  in  building,  and  that  three  other 
towns  had  been  founded  within  a  year  ;  namely, 
Augusta,  Darien,  and  Frederica ;  that  a  new  town, 
called  Ebenezer,  had  been  laid  out  for  the  Saltz- 
burgers  ;  and  that  there  were  several  villages  set- 
tled by  gentlemen  at  their  own  expense.  He  gave 
them   the    pleasing   intelligence    that  the  remoter 

24 


186  OGLETHORPE   IN  ENGLAND. 

Creek  nation  acknowledged  his  Majesty's  author- 
ity, and  traded  witli  the  new  settlers  ;  and  that  the 
Spanish  Governor-General  and  Council  of  War  of 
Florida  had  signed  a  treaty  with  the  Colony." ' 
He  added,  however,  that  notwithstanding  these 
seeming  auspicious  circumstances,  the  people  on 
the  frontiers  were  in  constant  apprehensions  of  an 
invasion,  and  that  he  had  strong  suspicions  that  the 
treaty  would  not  be  regarded  ;  that  the  Spanish 
government  at  Cuba  was  wholly  opposed  to  it ;  and 
that  the  indignant  demand  of  the  commissioner 
from  Havana,  and  the  threat  which  followed,  im- 
plied an  infraction,  and  would  lead  to  consequences 
against  which  it  was  necessary  to  provide. 

Upon  this  communication  some  able  remarks 
were  made  in  the  London  Post.  They  were  in- 
troduced by  a  statement  of  the  benefits  likely  to 
accrue  to  the  English  nation  from  settling  the 
colony  of  Georgia ;  and  go  on  to  mention  that  the 
colony  was  in  the  most  thriving  condition  in  conse- 
quence of  royal  patronage  and  parliamentary  aid, 
seconded  by  the  generosity  of  contributors,  "whose 
laudable  zeal  will  eternize  their  names  in  the  Brit- 
ish annals ;  and,  carried  into  effect  under  the  con- 
duct of  a  gentleman,  whose  judgment,  courage,  and 

'  Extract  from  the   Record   of  the   Trustees,   published  in  the 
Gentleman's  Magazine,  for  1737,  Vol.  XIL  p.  59. 


GERALDINO'S  MEMORIAL.  187 

indefatigable  diligence  in  the  service  of  his  country, 
have  shewn  him  every  way  equal  to  so  great  and 
valuable  a  design.  In  the  furtherance  of  this  noble 
enterprise,  that  public  spirited  and  magnanimous 
man  has  acted  like  a  vigilant  and  faithful  guardian, 
at  the  expense  of  his  repose,  and  to  the  utmost 
hazard  of  his  life.  And  now,  the  jealousy  of  the 
Spanish  is  excited,  and  we  are  told  that  that  court 
has  the  modesty  to  demand  from  England  that  he 
shall  not  be  any  longer  employed.  If  this  be  the 
fact,  as  there  is  no  doubt  it  is,  w^e  have  a  most 
undeniable  proof  that  the  Spaniards  dread  the  abili- 
ties of  Mr.  Oglethorpe.  It  is,  of  course,  a  glorious 
testimony  to  his  merit,  and  a  certificate  of  his  pa- 
triotism, that  ought  to  endear  him  to  every  honest 
Briton."^ 

Reference  is  here  made  to  the  memorial  of  Don 
Thomas  Geraldino,  the  Spanish  ambassador  at  the 
British  Court,  in  which,  among  other  demands,  he 
insisted  that  no  troops  should  be  sent  over  to  Geor- 
gia, and  particularly  remonstrated  against  the  return 
of  Oglethorpe. 

About  the  same  time  intelligence  reached  Eng- 
land that  the  Spaniards  at  St.  Augustine  had  order- 
ed the  English  merchants  to  depart,  and  were  set- 

'  Gentleman's  Magazine,  Vol.   VII.  p.  500.     See,  also,  History 
of  the  British  Provinces,  4to.  p.  158. 


188  OGLETHORPE'S   NEW  REGIMENT, 

ting  up  barracks  for  troops  tliat  were  daily  expected ; 
that  an  embarkation  was  preparing  at  Havana,  in 
which  two  thousand  five  hundred  soldiers  were  to 
be  shipped  in  three  large  men-of-war,  and  eight 
transports  ;  and  that  great  quantities  of  provisions 
had  been  laid  in  for  them.  Upon  this,  and  other 
hostile  indications,  of  which  the  Trustees  were  ap- 
prised, they  petitioned  his  Majesty  that  a  regiment 
might  be  raised  for  the  defence  and  protection  of 
the  Colony.  This  was  granted.  Oglethorpe  was 
appointed  General  and  Commander-in-Chief  of  his 
Majesty's  forces  in  Carolina  and  Georgia ;  and 
commissioned  to  raise  a  regiment  for  the  service 
and  defence  of  those  two  Colonies,  to  consist  of  six 
companies  of  one  hundred  men  each,  exclusive  of 
non-commissioned  officers  and  drums  ;  to  which  a 
company  of  grenadiers  was  afterwards  added. 
"  This  regiment  he  raised  in  a  very  short  time,  as 
he  disdained  to  make  a  market  of  the  service  of 
his  country,  by  selling  commissions,  but  got  such 
officers  appointed  as  were  gentlemen  of  family  and 
character  in  their  respective  counties ;  and,  as  he 
was  sensible  what  an  advantage  it  was  to  the 
troops  of  any  nation  to  have  in  every  company  a 
certain  number  of  such  soldiers  as  had  been  bred 
up  in  the  character  of  gentlemen,  he  engaged  about 
twenty  young  gentlemen  of  no  fortune,  to  serve  as 


RESERVE   CORPS.  189 

cadets  in  his  regiment,  all  of  whom  he  afterwards 
advanced  by  degrees  to  be  officers,  as  vacancies 
happened  ;  and  was  so  far  from  taking  any  money 
for  the  favor,  that  to  some  of  them,  he  gave,  upon 
their  advancement,  what  was  necessary  to  pay  the 
fees  of  their  commissions,  and  to  provide  themselves 
for  appearing  as  officers."  ^ 

"  He  carried  with  him,  also,"  says  a  writer  of 
that  day,  "  forty  supernumeraries,  at  his  own  ex- 
pense ;  a  circumstance  very  extraordinary  in  our 
armies,  especially  in  our  plantations." 

With  a  view  to  create  in  the  troops  a  personal 
interest  in  the  Colony  which  they  had  enlisted  to 
defend,  and  to  induce  them  eventually  to  become 
actual  settlers,  every  man  was  allowed  to  take  with 
him  a  wife ;  for  the  support  of  whom  some  addi- 
tional pay  and  rations,  were  offered.^  In  reference 
to  this,  Governor  Belcher,  of  Massachusetts,  in  writ- 
ing to  Lord  Egmont,  respecting  the  settlement  of 
Georgia,  has  these  remarks ;  "  Plantations  labor 
with  great  difficulties ;  and  must  expect  to  creep 
before  they  can  go.  I  see  great  numbers  of  people 
who  would  be  welcome  in  that  settlement ;  and 
have,  therefore,  the  honor  to  think,  with  Mr.  Ogle- 

'  London  Magazine,  for  1757,  p.  546. 

*  Gentleman's  Magazine,  Vol.  VIII.  p.  164. 


190  OGLETHORPE  RETURNS. 

thorpe,  that  the  soldiers  sent  thither  should  all  be 
married  men." ' 

Early  in  the  spring  of  1738,  some  part  of  the 
regiment,  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Colo- 
nel Cochran,  embarked  for  Georgia,  and  arrived  at 
Charlestown,  South  Carolina,  on  the  3d  of  May. 
They  immediately  proceeded  to  their  destined  ren- 
dezvous by  land  ;  as  the  General  had  taken  care, 
on  his  former  expedition,  to  have  the  rout  survey- 
ed, and  a  road  laid  out  and  made  passable  from 
Port  Royal  to  Darien,  or  rather  Frederica  itself; 
and  there  were  a  sufficient  number  of  boats  pro- 
vided for  passing  the  rivers. 

As  soon  as  Oglethorpe  obtained  the  proper  stores 
of  arms,  ammunition,  military  equipments,  and  pro- 
visions, he  embarked  for  Georgia,  the  third  time, 
with  six  hundred  men,  w^omen,  and  children,  in- 
cluding the  complement  of  the  new  raised  regi- 
ment, on  the  5th  of  July,  in  the  Hector  and  Bland- 
ford,  men-of-war ;  accompanied  by  five  transports. 
They  arrived  at  St.  Simons  on  the  9th  of  Septem- 
ber, where  their  landing  at  the  soldier's  fort,  was 
announced  by  a  discharge  of  artillery,  and  cheered 
by  the  garrison.     The  General  encamped  near  the 

*  Manuscript  Letter  Book  of  Governor  Belcher,  in  the  archives 
of  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society. 


ARRIVAL  OF  THE  REGIMENT.  191 


fort,  and  staid  till  the  21st,  to  forward  the  disem- 
barkation, and  give  out  necessary  orders.^ 

He  then  went  to  Frederica,  and  was  saluted  by 
fifteen  pieces  of  cannon  at  the  fort.  The  magis- 
trates and  townsmen  waited  on  him  in  a  body,  to 
congratulate  him  on  his  return. 

On  the  25th  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  went 
out  with  the  General,  and  cut  a  road  through  the 
woods  down  to  the  soldier*s-fort,  in  a  strait  line  ; 
so  that  there  is  an  open  communication  between 
them.  This  work  was  performed  in  three  days, 
though  it  is  a  distance  of  three  miles. 

Several  Indians  came  to  greet  the  General.  They 
hunted  in  the  vicinity,  and  brought  venison  every 
day  to  the  camp.  They  reported  that  the  chiefs 
from  every  town  of  the  Upper  and  Lower  Creek 
nation  would  set  out  to  visit  him  as  soon  as  they 
received  notice  of  his  return. 

The  arrival  of  the  regiment,  so  complete  and  in 
so  good  order,  was  a  great  relief  to  the  people  of 
Frederica,  as  they  had  been  often,  during  the  sum- 
mer, apprehensive  of  an  attack  by  the  Spaniards, 
who  had  sent  large  reinforcements  of  troops  to  St. 
Augustine,  and  were  understood  to  be  providing  a 
formidable   embarkation  at   the  Havana,   notwith- 

'  Letter  from  Frederica,  in  Georgia,  dated  October  Sth,  173S,  in 
the  Gentleman" s  Magazine,  for  January,  1739,  p.  22. 


192  PREPARATIONS  FOR  DEFENCE. 

Standing  the  treaty  which  had  been  so  lately  con- 
cluded with  Oglethorpe.  Nay,  the  Floridians  had 
actually  attacked  one  of  the  Creek  towns  that  was 
next  to  them  ;  but,  though  the  assault  was  made 
by  surprise,  they  were  repulsed  with  loss  ;  and 
then  they  pretended  that  it  was  done  by  their 
Indians,  without  their  orders. 

Under  circumstances  of  so  much  jeopardy,  the 
people  were  so  often  diverted  from  their  daily  labor, 
that  their  culture  and  husbandry  had  been  greatly 
neglected ;  and  there  was  the  appearance  of  such 
a  scarcity,  that  many  would  be  reduced  to  actual 
want  before  the  next  crop  could  be  got  in.  But, 
in  consequence  of  the  measures  now  taking  for 
their  security,  and  of  some  supplies  which  were 
brought,  in  addition  to  the  military  stores,  and  of 
more  that  would  be  sent  for,  the  anxiety  was 
removed,  and  they  resumed  their  labors. 

"  The  utmost  care  was  taken  by  the  General, 
that  in  all  the  frontier  places  the  fortifications  should 
be  put  in  the  best  state  of  defence ;  and  he  dis- 
tributed the  forces  in  the  properest  manner  for  the 
protection  and  defence  of  the  Colony ;  assigning 
diiferent  corps  for  different  services  ;  some  station- 
ary at  their  respective  forts  ;  some  on  the  alert,  for 
ranging  the  woods ;  others,  light-armed,  for  sudden 
expeditions.     He  likewise    provided   vessels,    and 


TREACHERY  IN  THE   CAMP.  193 

boats  for  scouring  the  sea-coast,  and  for  giving 
intelligence  of  the  approach  of  any  armed  vessels. 
He  went  from  one  military  station  to  another,  su- 
perintending and  actually  assisting  every  operation  ; 
and  endured  hardness  as  a  good  soldier,  by  lying  in 
tents,  though  all  the  officers  and  soldiers  had  houses 
and  huts  where  they  could  have  fires  when  they 
desired  ;  and  indeed  they  often  had  need,  for  the 
weather  was  severe.  In  all  which  services,  it  was 
declared  that  he  gave  at  the  same  time  his  orders 
and  his  example ;  there  being  nothing  which  he 
did  not,  that  he  directed  others  to  do ;  so  that,  if 
he  was  the  first  man  in  the  Colony,  his  preemi- 
nence was  founded  upon  old  Homer's  maxims, 
'  He  was  the  most  fatigued,  the  first  in  danger, 
distinguished  by  his  cares  and  his  labors,  and  not 
by  any  exterior  marks  of  grandeur,  more  easily  dis- 
pensed with,  since  they  were  certainly  useless.'  "  ^ 

But  there  was  treachery  lurking  in  the  camp, 
which,  though  for  some  time  suspected,  had  been 
so  vigilantly  watched  and  guarded  against,  that  the 
conspirators  found  no  opportunity  for  carrying  into 
effect  their  insidious  purpose. 

It  seems  that  among  the  troops  lately  sent  over, 
there  was  one  soldier  who  had  been  in  the  Spanish 


25 


'  Harris's  Voyages,  11.  p.  332. 


194  AFFRAY  AT  ST.  ANDREWS. 

service,  and  two  others  who  were  Roman  Catholics 
and  disclaimed  allegiance  to  the  British  Govern- 
ment, who  had  enlisted  as  spies,  and  been  bribed 
to  excite  a  mutiny  in  the  corps,  or  persuade  those 
among  whom  they  were  stationed  to  desert  the  ser- 
vice.^ 

Their  attempts,  however,  to  gain  over  accom- 
plices, were  unavailing ;  for  those  with  whom  they 
tampered  had  the  fealty  to  reject  their  overtures, 
and  the  honesty  to  make  a  discovery  of  their  in- 
sidious machinations.  Upon  this  the  traitors  were 
seized,  convicted,  and,  on  the  beginning  of  Octo- 
ber, 1738,  sentenced  to  be  whipt  and  drummed  out 
of  the  regiment.^ 

Hardly  had  this  secret  plot  been  defeated,  when 
an  affray  took  place  at  Fort  St.  Andrews,  in  which 
an  attempt  was  made  to  assassinate  the  General, 
who  was  there  on  a  visit. 

Some  of  the  soldiers  who  came  from  Gibraltar 
had  been  granted  six  months  provisions  from  the 
King's  stores,  in  addition  to  their  pay.  When 
these  rations  were  expended,  about  the  middle  of 
November,  one  of  the  murmurers  had  the  presump- 
tion to  go  up  to  the  General,  who  was  standing  at 

»  Gentleman's  Magazine,  Vol.  IX.  739,  p.  22. 
'  Appendix,  No.  XX. 


ATTEMPT  AT  ASSASSINATION.  195 

the  door  with  Captain  Mackay,  and  demanded  of 
him  a  continuance  of  the  supply.  To  this  uncer- 
emonious and  disrespectful  requisition  the  General 
replied,  that  the  terms  of  their  enlistment  had  been 
complied  with  ;  that  their  pay  was  going  on  ;  that 
they  had  no  special  favor  to  expect,  and  certainly 
were  not  in  the  way  to  obtain  any  by  such  a  rude 
manner  of  application.  As  the  fellow  became  out- 
rageously insolent,  the  Captain  drew  his  sword, 
which  the  desperado  snatched  out  of  his  hand, 
broke  in  two  pieces,  threw  the  hilt  at  him,  and 
made  off  for  the  barrack,  where,  taking  his  gun, 
which  was  loaded,  and  crying  out  "  One  and  all !  " 
five  others,  with  their  guns,  rushed  out,  and,  at  the 
distance  of  about  ten  yards,  the  ringleader  shot  at 
the  General.  The  ball  whizzed  above  his  shoulder, 
and  the  powder  burnt  his  face  and  scorched  his 
clothes.  Another  flashed  his  piece  twice,  but  the 
gun  did  not  go  ofl".  The  General  and  Captain  were 
immediately  surrounded  by  protectors ;  and  the 
culprits  were  apprehended,  tried  at  a  Court-Mar- 
tial,  and,  on  the  first  week  in  October,  received 
sentence  of  death.  The  letter  which  gives  a  cir- 
cumstantial account  of  this  affair,  written  from 
Frederica,  and  dated  December  26th,  adds,  "  Some 
of  the  officers  are  not  very  easy,  and  perhaps  will 
not  be  till  the  mutineers  are  punished,  in  terrorem ; 


196  MUTINEERS  PUNISHED. 

which  has  been  delayed  by  the  General's  forbear- 
ance." ^  I  quote,  with  pleasure,  this  testimony  to 
his  lenity,  given  by  one  who  must  have  intimately 
known  all  the  aggravating  circumstances,  because 
some  accounts  state  that  he  took  summary  ven- 
geance. 

By  the  defeat  of  insidious  plottings  to  induce  the 
desertion  of  the  frontier  garrison,  and  the  suppres- 
sion of  the  insurgent  mutiny,  the  spirit  of  insubor- 
dination was  entirely  quelled  ;  and  the  people  of 
the  Colony  were  relieved  from  their  apprehensions 
of  an  attack  from  the  Spaniards,  "  as  they  had 
Oglethorpe  among  them,  in  whom  they  and  the  In- 
dians had  great  confidence." 

'  Gentleman's  Magazine,  Vol.  IX.  p.  215. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Oglethorpe  visits  Savannah  —  Troubles  there  —  Causton,the  store- 
keeper, displaced —  Oglethorpe  holds  a  conference  with  a  deputa- 
tion of  Indians  —  Town-meeting  called,  and  endeavors  used  to 
quiet  discontents  —  Goes  back  to  Frederica,  but  obliged  to  renew 
his  visit  to  Savannah. 

On  the  8th  of  October,  1738,  Oglethorpe  set  out 
from  Frederica  in  an  open  boat,  with  two  others 
attending  it ;  and,  after  rowing  two  days  and  two 
nights,  arrived  at  Savannah.  "  He  was  received, 
at  the  water-side,  by  the  magistrates,  and  saluted 
by  the  cannon  from  the  fort,  and  by  the  militia 
under  arms ;  and  the  people  spent  the  night  in  re- 
joicing, making  bonfires,"^  &c.  But,  notwithstand- 
ing this  show  of  public  joy,  he  had  soon  to  learn 
particulars  of  the  situation  of  the  inhabitants,  that 
rendered  his  visit  unpleasant  to  himself,  and  not 
very  welcome  to  some  of  those  to  whom  it  was 

'  Letter,  dated  Savannah,  in  Georgia,  October  22,  1738  ;  publish- 
ed in  the  Gentleman's  Magazine,  for  January,  1739,  p.  22. 


198       OGLETHORPE  AT  SAVANNAH. 

made.  Those  who  were  duly  sensible  of  his  dis- 
interested devotedness  to  the  advancement  and 
welfare  of  the  settlement,  were  actuated,  on  this 
occasion,  by  a  principle  of  real  regard  and  grati- 
tude ;  those  who  were  apprehensive  that  their  con- 
duct in  his  absence  might  be  investigated  and  dis- 
approved, joined  in  the  acclaim,  that  they  might 
conciliate  his  favor ;  and  those  who  had  been  dis- 
contented grumblers,  did  not  care  openly  to  exhibit 
indications  of  dissatisfaction. 

On  the  day  after  his  arrival  he  received  informa- 
tion that  the  grand  jury  of  Savannah  had  prepared 
a  representation,  "  stating  their  grievances,  hard- 
ships, and  necessities,"  and  complaining  of  the  con- 
duct of  Mr.  Thomas  Causton,  the  first  magistrate 
of  the  town,  and  keeper  of  the  public  store.'  They 
alleged  that  he  had  expended  much  larger  sums 
than  the  Trustees  authorized,  and  thus  brought  the 
Colony  in  debt ;  that  he  had  assumed  powers  not 
delegated  to  him,  and  had  been  partial  and  arbi- 
trary in  many  of  the  measures  which  he  had  pur- 
sued.^ 

Upon  an  investigation  of  these  allegations,  Ogle- 

'  This  is  inserted  in  the  Narrative  of  the  Colony  of  Georgia, 
by  P.  Tailfer,  M.  D.,  Hugh  Williamson,  M.  A.,  and  D.  Douglas. 
Charlestown,  S.  C.  1741.     It  was  signed  September  12lh,  1737. 

^  Letter  last  quoted,  and  Stephens's  Journal,  Vol.  L  p.  305. 


MR.   CAUSTON  DISPLACED.  199 

thoi'pe,  as  Governor-General  of  the  Colony,  deemed 
it  expedient  to  displace  him ;  to  issue  an  order  that 
the  books,  papers,  and  accounts,  belonging  to  the 
stores,  should  be  delivered  to  Thomas  Jones,  Esq., 
who  had  come  over  with  the  transports  with  the 
appointment  of  Advocate  of  the  Regiment ;  and 
that  security  should  be  given  by  Causton,  to  an- 
swer the  charges  against  him,  by  an  assignment  of 
his  estate  at  Oakstead,  and  his  improvements  else- 
where. The  office  thus  rendered  vacant  was  sup- 
plied by  the  appointment  of  Colonel  William  Ste- 
phens, who  had  been  sent  over  with  the  commission 
of  Secretary  for  the  affairs  of  the  Trustees  in  the 
Province.^ 

'  This  worthy  gentleman  wrote  a  Journal,  which  commences  on 
his  arrival  at  Charlestown,  in  the  Mary-Ann,  Captain  Shubrick, 
October  20,  1737,  and  comes  down  to  October  28,  1741.  It  gives  a 
minute  account  of  every  thing  which  occurred  ;  and  bears  through- 
out the  marks  of  correctness,  of  ingenuousness,  and  frankness  in 
the  narrative  of  transactions  and  events;  and  of  integrity,  strict 
justice,  and  unflinching  fidelity  in  the  discharge  of  his  very  respon- 
sible office.  As  exhibiting  "  the  form  and  pressure  of  the  times,"  it 
is  of  essential  importance  to  the  Historian  of  Georgia ;  and,  happily, 
it  was  printed,  making  three  octavo  volumes.  But  the  work  is 
exceedingly  rare,  especially  the  third  volume.  A  complete  set  is 
among  the  Ebeling  books  in  Harvard  College  Library. 

He  had  been  at  Savannah  before,  for  in  p.  46,  is  this  remark  ; 
"All  which  was  evident  to  myself,  as  well  from  what  I  observed, 
when  here  formerly,  as  more  especially  now,  since  my  arrival."  And 
again,  p.  54,  mentioning  Mr.  Fallowfield,  "a  constable,  whose  tern- 


200  EMBASSY  OF  INDIANS. 

The  great  mismanagement  of  the  trust-funds 
which  had  been  sent  for  the  support  of  the  Colony, 
rendered  it  also  necessary  to  retrench  the  ordinary 
issues,  "  that  something  might  remain  for  the  ne- 
cessary support  of  life  among  the  industrious  part 
of  the  community,  who  were  not  to  be  blamed." 

On  the  11th,  Tomo  Chichi  came  to  wait  upon 
the  General.  He  had  been  very  ill ;  but  the  good 
old  man  was  so  rejoiced  at  the  return  of  his  re- 
spected friend,  that  he  said  it  made  him  moult  like 
the  eagle. ^  He  informed  him  that  several  Indian 
chiefs  were  at  Yamacraw  to  pay  their  respects  to 
him,  and  to  assure  him  of  their  fidelity. 

This  embassy  consisted  of  the  Micos  or  chiefs  of 
the  Ocmulgees,  the  Chehaws,  the  Ouchasees,  and 
the  Parachacholas,  with  thirty  of  their  warriors,  and 
fifty-two  attendants.  As  they  walked  up  the  hill, 
they  were  saluted  by  a  battery  of  cannon,  and  then 
conducted  to  the  town-hall  by  a  corps  of  militia, 
where  the  General  received  them.  They  told  him 
that  the  Spaniards  had  decoyed  them  to  St.  Augus- 
tine,  on   pretence  that   he    was    there  ;   but  they 

per  I  was  better  acquainted  with,  having  lodged  at  his  house  during 
my  former  abode  here." 

After  the  departure  of  General  Oglethorpe,  he  was  President  of 
the  Council,  and  acting  Governor  from  July  11,  1743,  to  April  8, 
1757,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Henry  Parker,  Esq. 

*  Appendix,  No.  XXI. 


OGLETHORPE'S  STATEMENT.       201 

found  that  they  were  imposed  upon,  and  therefore 
turned  back  with  displeasure,  though  they  were 
offered  p-eat  presents  to  induce  them  to  fall  out 
with  the  English.  These  single-hearted  foresters 
had  now  come  to  remove  from  the  mind  of  their 
pledged  friend  all  apprehension  of  their  alienation, 
and  to  assure  him  that  their  warriors  shall  attend 
his  call.  They  closed  their  conference  with  a 
pressing  invitation  to  him  to  come  up  to  their  towns 
in  the  course  of  the  summer ;  and,  with  his  promise 
to  do  so,  they  took  a  respectful  leave. 

On  the  17th  the  General  called  the  inhabitants 
to  assemble  at  the  town-hall,  and  "  there  made  a 
pathetic  speech  to  them  ; "  ^  which  he  began  by 
thanking  them  for  the  measures  which  they  had 
pursued  for  mutual  help  and  the  common  good. 
He  apprized  them  of  the  great  exertions  made  by 
the  Trustees  to  support,  protect,  and  defend  the 
Colony  ;  but  that  their  being  obliged  to  maintain 
the  garrisons,  and  lay  in  various  stores  till  the  ar- 
rival of  the  troops,  and  the  dear  price  of  provisions 
the  last  year,  occasioned  such  an  increased  demand 
upon  them,  that  they  would  not  be  able  to  continue 
further  allowance,  nor  assume  further  responsibili- 
ties, unless  a  supply  should  be  granted  by  parlia- 


'  Stephens's  Journal,  I.  p.  305. 
26 


202  PUBLIC  EMBARRASSMENTS. 

ment.  This  state  of  embarrassment  he  greatly 
regretted,  inasmuch  as  those  whom  he  addressed 
were  suffering  by  the  failure  of  their  crojDS.  He 
told  them  that,  with  surprise  and  great  grief,  he 
found  that  there  was  more  due  from  the  public 
store  than  there  were  goods  and  articles  in  it  to 
pay ;  but  that  he  had  given  orders  that  all  persons 
should  be  paid  as  far  as  these  effects  would  go. 
He  said  that  he  was  fully  aware  of  the  privations 
already  felt,  and  of  the  greater  to  which  they  were 
exposed  ;  and,  therefore,  informed  those  who,  on 
this  account,  or  for  any  reason,  supposed  that  they 
could  better  their  condition  by  going  out  of  the 
Province,  that  they  had  his  full  consent  to  do  so. 
At  the  same  time  he  requested  such  to  come  to  his 
quarters,  and  acquaint  him  with  their  grievances, 
their  wishes,  and  their  purposes,  and  he  would 
give  them  his  best  advice,  and  all  the  aid  in  his 
power.  How  many,  or  how  far  any,  availed  them- 
selves of  this  overture,  is  not  known  ;  but  the 
writer  who  has  given  an  account  of  this  address, 
adds,  "  It  is  remarkable  that  not  one  man  chose  to 
leave  the  Province,  though  they  very  well  knew 
that  they  must  endure  great  hardships  before  the 
next  crop  should  come  in,  for  there  was  very  little 
money  stirring,  and  very  few  had  provisions  suffi- 
cient  to   keep    them   till   next   year.      However, 


RETRENCHMENTS.  203 

they  all  seemed  resolved  rather  to  stay,  than  to 
leave  the  country  now  in  its  distress." ' 

To  lessen  the  demands  upon  the  Trustees,  Ogle- 
thorpe made  retrenchments  in  the  public  expendi- 
tures. He  disbanded  the  troop  of  Rangers,  who 
guarded  the  country  on  the  land  side,  though  they 
offered  to  serve  without  pay  ;  but  he  deemed  it 
improper  that  they  should  be  on  service  without 
remuneration.  The  garrisons  were  relieved  by  the 
regiments  ;  so  that  that  expense  ceased.  He  aim- 
ed to  reconcile  the  disaffected,  by  his  good  offices ; 
and  to  gain  their  affections  by  unexpected  and  un- 
merited liberalities.  With  very  timely  largesses 
he  assisted  the  orphans,  the  widows,  and  the  sick  ; 
and  contributed  towards  the  relief  of  the  most  des- 
titute ;  but,  adds  the  writer  of  the  letter  above 
quoted,  "  we  are  apprehensive  such  contributions 
cannot  last  long,  unless  assisted  from  England,  for 
the  expenses  are  too  great  for  any  single  man  to 
bear." 

The  General  pursued,  with  anxious  scrutiny,  his 
investigation  into  the  management  of  business,  and 
found  the  charges  and  accounts  to  be  very  perplex- 
ed, and  the  result  evincing  mismanagement  and 
unfaithfulness.  "  He  settled  the  officers,  civil  and 
military,  among  whom  changes  had  taken  place  ; 

'  Letter  from  Savannah,  October  22,  1738. 


204   OGLETHORPE  LEAVES  FOR  FREDERICA. 

filled  vacancies ;  and  took  the  most  judicious  mea- 
sures that  the  whole  municipal  establishment  should 
be  properly  organized.  Then,  calling  them  all  to 
his  lodgings,  he  gave  it  in  charge  that  they  should 
do  their  duties  with  care  and  vigilance.  He  ex- 
horted them  to  use  their  best  endeavors  to  preserve 
peace  ;  especially  at  this  time,  when  ill-disposed 
persons,  taking  advantage  of  people's  uneasiness  at 
those  inevitable  pressures  under  which  they  labor- 
ed, and  must  necessarily  for  some  time  be  sub- 
jected to,  might  craftily  incite  them  to  insurrection. 
Withal,  he  recommended  earnestly  to  them  to  pre- 
serve unanimity  among  themselves,  which  would 
strengthen  and  support  a  due  authority,  and  restrain 
the  licentious  into  due  obedience."  * 

On  Wednesday  morning,  October  25th,  Ogle- 
thorpe set  out  for  the  south,  leaving,  as  Col.  Ste- 
phens remarks,  "  a  gloomy  prospect  of  what  might 
ensue ;  and  many  sorrowful  countenances  were 
visible  under  the  apprehensions  of  future  want ; 
which  deplorable  state  the  Colony  has  fallen  into, 
through  such  means  as  few  or  none  of  the  settlers 
had  any  imagination  of,  till  the  Trustees,  in  their 
late  letters,  awakened  them  out  of  their  dream  ; 
and  the  General,  when  he  came,  laid  the  whole 

'  Stephens's  Journal,  L  309. 


MR.  CAUSTON'S  CONDUCT.  205 

open,  and  apprized  them  that  thej  were  but  little 
removed  from  a  downright  bankruptcy.  Now  was 
a  time  when  it  would  be  fully  apparent,  who  were 
the  most  valuable  among  them,  by  showing  a 
hearty  endeavor  to  contribute,  what  in  them  lay,  to 
appease  the  rising  discontents,  and  wait  with  pa- 
tience to  see  better  things,  which  were  not  yet  to 
be  despaired  of." ' 

It  appears  that  Mr.  Causton  discovered  not  only 
reluctance  and  perversity  in  explaining  and  authen- 
ticating his  accounts  ;  but,  by  disingenuous  insinu- 
ations reflected  on  the  conduct  of  Oglethorpe,  "  as 
if  he  very  well  knew  that  extraordinary  occasions 
had  created  these  great  exceedings,  which  the 
Trustees  approving  of,  he  [Causton]  was  given  up 
to  be  driven  to  utter  ruin.""  Mr.  Jones  deemed 
it  necessary  to  write  to  the  General  to  inform  him 
of  the  reflections  which  had  thus  been  cast  upon 
his  honor,  and  of  the  impediments  which  he  him- 
self met  in  the  business  assigned  to  him.  Upon 
the  receipt  of  this  letter,  Oglethorpe  set  out  on  a 
return  to  Savannah,  where  he  arrived  early  in  the 
morning  of  Saturday,  November  1 1  th,  and,  as  the 
bell  was  ringing  for  attendance  on  prayers,  he  went 
and  joined  the  orisons  of  the  congregation.     This 

»  Stephens's  Journal,  I.  312.  2  ibid.  p.  325. 


206    OGLETHORrE  AGAIN  AT  SAVANNAH. 

was  more  grateful  to  his  feelings  than  the  military 
salute  and  parade  of  the  preceding  visit ;  and  the 
devotional  exercises  in  vi^hich  he  engaged  soothed 
his  vexed  spirit,  and  the  petition  for  pardon  of  of- 
fences against  God  produced  a  livelier  disposition 
in  his  heart  of  lenity  and  forgiveness  towards  those 
who  had  offended  against  him.  In  the  course  of 
the  day,  he  looked  again  into  the  concerns  of  the 
store,  and  despatched  some  other  affairs  of  conse- 
quence. In  the  evening  he  sent  for  Mr.  Causton, 
when,  "in  a  very  mild  manner,  and  gentler  terms 
than  could  be  expected,  upon  such  a  provocation, 
he  reprehended  him  for  the  freedom  he  had  taken 
with  his  name,  and  advised  him  to  use  no  delays 
or  shifts  in  making  up  his  accounts." 

On  Sunday  he  attended  public  worship ;  and 
after  that  took  boat,  and  went  back  to  the  south. 

In  both  these  visits  to  Savannah,  Oglethorpe  dis- 
covered among  the  inhabitants  indications  of  the 
prevalence  of  not  only  a  dissatisfied,  but  of  a  fac- 
tious spirit ;  more  to  be  lamented  than  a  failing 
harvest,  or  a  stinted  market. 

It  was  extremely  mortifying  to  him  to  perceive 
that  his  greatest  exertions  and  most  assiduous  ser- 
vices were  underrated  ;  his  devotedness  to  their 
welfare  unacknowledged  ;  and  his  sacrifices  and 
exposures  that  he  might  establish  them  in  security 


STATE  OF  DISAFFECTION.  207 

and  peace,  were  not  merely  depreciated,  but  mis- 
called and  dishonored.  While  he  was  zealously 
engaged  in  strengthening  the  Colony,  by  locating 
large  accessions  of  brave  and  industrious  settlers  on 
the  frontiers,  and  erecting  forts,  and  supplying  them 
with  troops  and  ammunition,  the  people  who  were 
"  sitting  under  their  own  vines  and  fig-trees,  with 
none  to  molest  or  make  them  afraid,"  and  who  had 
been  best  and  longest  provided  for,  were  insensible 
to  the  hardships  and  dangers  to  which  others  were 
exposed  ;  and,  cavilling  at  the  circumstances  in 
which  they  were  placed,  complained  as  if  he  must 
be  personally  accountable  for  certain  restrictions  in 
the  plan  of  settlement,  and  subsequent  financial 
and  commercial  affairs,  to  which  the  Trustees  had 
deemed  it  proper  to  subject  them  ;  restrictions 
which  might  have  been  submitted  to  by  them  with 
as  good  a  grace  as  they  were  by  the  Saltzburgers 
at  Ebenezer  and  the  Scots  at  Darien,  "  who  mur- 
mured not,  neither  were  unthankful."  In  fact,  it 
was  very  apparent,  that  by  their  indolence  and  im- 
providence these  dissatisfied  ones  had  brought  upon 
themselves  the  chief  of  the  evils  which  they  suf- 
fered. Their  allegations,  therefore,  were  unrea- 
sonable, and  the  disposition  which  dictated  them 
criminally  ungrateful.  But  Oglethorpe,  instead  of 
reproaching  the  discontented  for  their  ingratitude. 


208  MAGNANIMITY  OF  OGLETHORPE. 

and  the  murmurers  for  their  unkind  imputations, 
stifled  his  own  justifiable  feelings  of  displeasure, 
in  the  hope  that  such  forbearance  would  refute  the 
injustice  of  theirs.     Well  might  the  poet  exclaim  : 

"  What  magnanimity  !  —  May  ne'er  again 
Unkind  returns  thy  generous  ardor  chill, 
Nor  causeless  censure  give  thy  bosom  pain, 
Nor  thankless  hearts  reward  thy  good  with  ill ! 

But  honoring  gratitude  its  column  raise, 
To  bear  inscriptions  of  deserved  praise ; 
And  when  through  age  the  record  is  obscure, 
A  nobler  let  posterity  procure." 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

Oglethorpe  goes  to  Charlestown,  South  Carolina,  to  open  his  Com- 
mission—  Comes  back  to  Savannah  —  Gives  encouragement  to 
the  Planters  —  Returns  to  Frederica  —  Excursion  to  Coweta  — 
Forms  a  Treaty  with  the  Upper  Creeks  —  Receives  at  Augusta  a 
delegation  of  the  Chickasaws  and  Cherokees,  who  complain  of 
having  been  poisoned  by  the  Traders  —  On  his  return  to  Savan- 
nah is  informed  of  Spanish  aggressions,  and  is  authorized  to  make 
reprisals. 

As  Oglethorpe  was  appointed  General  and  Com- 
mander in  Chief  of  the  military  forces  in  South 
Carolina,  as  well  as  Georgia,  he  deemed  it  proper 
to  pay  a  visit  to  Charlestown,  in  order  to  have  this 
assigned  rank  duly  notified  to  the  Governor  and 
people  of  the  Province.  He,  therefore,  set  out  for 
that  metropolis  on  the  10th  of  March,  1739  ;  arrived 
on  the  15th,  and,  on  the  3d  of  April,  had  his  com- 
mission opened  and  read  in  the  Assembly.  In  refer- 
ence to  the  exercise  of  the  authority  which  it  con- 
ferred, some  regulations  in  the  military  establishment 
were  adopted.  On  the  11th  he  returned  to  Sa- 
vannah. 

27 


210  INDIAN  EXPEDITION. 

To  encourage  the  industry  of  the  planters,  he 
proposed  to  those  who  would  persevere  in  doing 
what  they  could  in  the  culture  of  their  lands,  "  a 
bounty  of  two  shillings  per  bushel  for  all  Indian 
corn,  and  one  shilling  per  bushel  for  all  potatoes, 
which  they  should  raise  over  and  above  what  the 
produce  could  be  sold  for  after  the  next  harvest."  ^ 

On  the  1 8th  he  went  to  Frederica ;  but  was 
obliged,  in  the  summer,  to  renew  his  visit  to  Savan- 
nah;  and,  on  the  evening  of  the  10th  of  July,  was 
received,  under  a  discharge  of  cannon,  by  about 
forty  of  the  freeholders  under  arms,  which,  he  was 
pleased  to  say,  was  more  than  he  expected.  "  His 
stay,  being  very  likely  to  be  short,  many  succes- 
sively sought  audience  of  him,  whose  affairs  he 
despatched  with  his  usual  promptness." 

"  On  the  17th  he  set  off  on  his  Indian  expedition 
to  Coweta  :  he  proceeded  up  the  river,  in  his  cut- 
ter, with  Lieutenant  Dunbar,  Ensign  Leman,  and 
Mr.  Eyre,  a  cadet,  besides  attendants  and  servants. 
At  the  Uchee  town,  twenty-five  miles  above  Eben- 
ezer,  he  quitted  water-conveyance,  having  appointed 
several  of  the  Indian  traders  to  wait  his  coming 
there,  with  a  number  of  horses,  as  well  for  sumpter 
3S  riding,  and  also  some  rangers  to  assist." 

'  Stephens,  I,  460, 


JOURNEY  TO   COWETA.  211 

On  this  journey,  computed  to  be  over  three  hun- 
dred miles,  both  he  and  his  attendants  met  with 
many  and  great  hardships  and  fatigue.  They  were 
obliged  to  traverse  a  continuous  wilderness,  where 
there  was  no  road,  and  seldom  any  visible  track  ; 
and  their  Indian  guides  led  them  often,  unavoid- 
ably, through  tangled  thickets,  and  deep  and  broken 
ravines,  and  across  swamps,  or  bogs,  where  the 
horses  mired  and  plunged  to  the  great  danger  of 
the  riders.  They  had  to  pass  large  rivers  on  rafts, 
and  cause  the  horses  to  wade  and  swim  ;  and  to 
ford  others.  During  most  of  the  way  their  reso- 
lute leader  was  under  the  necessity  of  sleeping  in 
the  open  air,  wrapped  in  his  cloak  or  a  blanket,  and 
with  his  portmanteau  for  a  pillow ;  or,  if  the  night- 
weather  was  uncomfortable,  or  rainy,  a  covert  was 
constructed  of  cypress  boughs,  spread  over  poles. 
For  two  hundred  miles  there  was  not  a  hut  to  be 
met  with  ;  nor  a  human  face  to  be  seen,  unless  by 
accident  that  of  some  Indian  hunter  traversing  the 
woods.  At  length  they  arrived  at  Coweta,  one  of 
the  principal  towns  of  the  Muscoghe,  or  Creek 
Indians,  where  the  Chiefs  of  all  the  tribes  were 
assembled,  on  the  11th  of  August.  "Thus  did 
this  worthy  man,  to  protect  the  settlement,  which 
with  so  much  pecuniary  expense  and  devotedness 
of  time,  he  had  planted,  now  expose  himself  to  the 


212  CEREMONY  OF  ACCORDANCE. 

hazards  and  toils  of  a  comfortless  expedition,  that 
would  have  proved  unsiirmountable  to  one  of  a  less 
enterprising  spirit  and  steadj  resolutions."  Ogle- 
thorpe, and  his  suite,  were  received  with  great  cor- 
diality ;  and,  after  the  necessary  introduction  to 
individuals,  and  a  little  refreshment  and  rest,  a 
grand  convention  was  formed.  The  assembly  was 
arranged  in  due  order,  with  the  solemn  introductory 
ceremonies  prescribed  for  such  occasions.  A  Hba- 
tion  of  the  foskey,^  or  black-drink,  followed  ;  of 
which  Oglethorpe  was  invited  to  partake  vi^ith  "  the 
beloved  men,"  and  of  which  the  chiefs  and  war- 
riors quaffed  more  copious  draughts.  Speeches  and 
discussions  followed  ;  terms  of  intercourse  and 
stipulations  of  trade  were  agreed  upon  ;  and,  after 
smoking  the  calumet,  they  unitedly  declared  that 
they  remained  firm  in  their  pledged  fealty  to  the 
King  of  Great  Britain,  and  would  adhere  to  all  the 

'  This  is  a  decoction  of  the  leaves  of  the  Yaupon,  prinus  glabcr, 
and  is  of  an  exciting,  and  if  taken  i'reely,  an  intoxicating  effect.  It 
is  prepared  with  much  formality,  and  is  considered  as  a  sacred 
beverage,  used  only  by  the  Chiefs,  the  War  Captains,  and  Priests 
("  beloved  men  ")  on  special  occasions,  particularly  on  going  to  war 
and  making  treaties.  For  an  account  of  its  preparation  and  use, 
see  Lawson's  Carolina,  p.  90 ;  Bernard  Roman's  Natural  History 
of  Florida,  p.  94 ;  Adair's  History  of  the  American  Indians,  p.  108 ; 
Catesby's  Natural  History  of  Carolina,  11.  57 ;  and  Barton's  Ele- 
ments of  Botany,  part  II.  p.  16. 


TREATY  FORMED.  213 

engagements  of  amity  and  commerce  heretofore 
entered  into  with  Oglethorpe  as  the  representative 
of  the  Trustees.  They  then  renewed  the  former 
grants,  in  terms  more  explicit  and  full,  confirming 
the  session  of  territory  on  the  sea-coast,  with  the 
islands,  and  now  extending  the  southern  boundary 
to  the  river  Matteo,  or  St.  John's.  And  Oglethorpe, 
on  his  part,  covenanted  that  the  English  should  not 
encroach  upon,  nor  take  up,  other  lands,  nor  in- 
trude upon  any  reserved  privileges  of  the  Creeks  ; 
but  would  cause  their  rights  to  be  respected,  and 
the  trade  with  them  to  be  conducted  upon  fair  and 
honorable  principles.  This  important  treaty  was 
concluded  on  the  21st  of  August,  1739. 

Oglethorpe  ingratiated  himself  highly  with  the 
Creeks  on  this  occasion,  by  his  having  undertaken 
so  long  and  difficult  a  journey  to  become  acquainted 
with  them,  and  secure  their  favor ;  trusting  himself 
with  so  few  attendants  in  a  fearless  reliance  on 
their  good  faith ;  by  the  readiness  with  which  he 
accommodated  himself  to  their  mode  of  living ;  and 
the  magnanimity  of  his  deportment  while  among 
them. 

The  chief  business  being  finished  to  mutual  satis- 
faction, the  General,  with  his  attendants,  set  out  on 
their  return  ;  and,  after  enduring  the  like  hardships, 
exposures,  and  fatigue,  arrived,  on  the  5th  of  Sep- 


214  CHICKASAWS  AND  CREEKS. 

tember,  at  Fort  Augusta,  an  outpost  on  the  Savan- 
nah, where  he  .had  placed  a  garrison  on  his  first 
expedition  to  Georgia ;  and  under  the  protection  of 
which,  a  little  settlement  was  now  formed,  inhabited 
mostly  by  Indian  traders.  There  he  was  waited  on 
by  the  chiefs  of  the  Chickasaws,  and  the  chiefs  of 
the  Cherokees  ;  *  the  last  of  whom  came  with  a 
heavy  complaint  that  his  people  had  been  poisoned 
by  the  rum  which  had  been  brought  to  them  by  the 
traders.  At  this  they  expressed  high  resentment, 
and  even  threatened  revenge.  As  this  was  an  affair 
of  quite  an  alarming  nature,  the  General  made  strict 
inquiry  into  it ;  and  ascertained  that  some  unlicensed 
traders  had,  the  preceding  summer,  carried  up  the 
small  pox,  which  is  fatal  to  the  Indians  ;  and  that 
several  of  their  warriors,  as  well  as  others,  had 
fallen  victims  to  the  distemper.  It  was  with  some 
difficulty  that  he  convinced  the  Indians  that  this 
was  the  real  cause  of  the  calamity.  At  the  same 
time  he  assured  them  that  such  were  the  precautions 
and  strict  examination  used,  before  any  applicant 
for  leave  to  trade  could  obtain  it,  that  they  need 

'  By  some  early  writers  of  Carolina  these  chiefs  are  called  "  Ca- 
ciques." Whether  this  be  the  same  as  Mico,  I  know  not;  but  the 
title,  though  often  used  so,  does  not  seem  tp  be  appropriate.  Where 
justly  applied,  it  is  the  title  of  the  legislative  chief,  iti  distinction 
from  the  war  chief. 


AN  EXPRESS  FROM  SAVANNAH.  215 

not  apprehend  any  clanger  from  such  as  came  to 
them  with  a  license.  With  this  explanation  and 
assurance  they  went  away  satisfied. 

On  the  13th  of  September,  while  yet  at  this 
place,  an  express  arrived  from  Savannah  to  acquaint 
him  that  a  sloop  from  Rhode  Island  had  brought  the 
intelligence,  that  the  Governor  of  that  Colony  had, 
by  orders  from  Great  Britain,  issued  commissions 
for  fitting  out  privateers  against  the  Spaniards.  This 
was  not  a  little  surprising  to  him.  He  could  not 
conceive  how  a  distant  Colony  should  have  any 
such  orders,  before  they  were  sent  to  him  who  was 
most  in  danger  of  being  attacked,  in  case  of  any 
rupture  with  Spain.  However,  he  deemed  it  expe- 
dient to  hasten  his  return,  in  order  to  obtain  more 
direct  information.  On  the  22d  he  reached  Savan- 
nah, where  he  received  and  published  his  Majesty's 
orders  for  reprisals.  In  consequence  of  these,  a 
stout  privateer  of  fourteen  guns,  was  immediately 
fitted  out  by  Captain  Davies,  who  had  suffered  by 
having  had  a  ship  and  cargo,  to  the  value  of  forty 
thousand  pieces  of  eight,  captured  and  most  un- 
justly condemned  by  the  Spaniards  ;  and,  there- 
fore, felt  that  he  had  a  right  to  avail  himself  of  the 
present  opportunity  for  obtaining  redress.^ 

*  London  Magazine,  for  1757,  page  592. 


216  SPANISH   GUARDA-COSTAS. 

For  several  years,  the  British  trade  to  America, 
particularly  that  to  the  West  Indies,  had  suffered 
great  interruption  and  annoyance  from  the  Spanish 
guarda-costas,  which,  under  various  pretences,  seized 
the  merchant  ships,  and  carried  them  into  their  ports, 
where  they  were  confiscated.  This  piratical  prac- 
tice had  increased  to  such  a  degree  that  scarcely 
any  vessels  were  safe  in  those  seas;  for  the  Spaniards 
pretended  that  wherever  they  found  logwood,  cocoa, 
or  pieces  of  eight  on  board,  the  capture  was  legal. 
Now,  the  first  two  of  those  commodities  were  the 
growth  and  produce  of  the  English  islands,  and  the 
last  was  the  current  specie  of  all  that  part  of  the 
world  ;  so  that  there  was  hardly  a  ship  homeward 
bound  but  had  one  or  other  of  these  on  board. 

These  depredations  were  also  aggravated  by  cir- 
cumstances of  great  inhumanity  and  cruelty ;  the 
sailors  being  confined  in  loathsome  prisons,  at  the 
Havana,  and  at  Cadiz ;  or  forced  to  work  with 
irons  on  their  legs ;  with  no  sustenance  but  salt 
fish,  almost  putrid,  and  beds  full  of  vermin,  so  that 
many  died  of  their  hard  captivity.^ 

The  increasing  complaints  of  the  merchants,  and 
the  loud  clamors  of  the  nation,  at  length  forced  the 

*  History  of  the  Colonies  planted  by  the  English  on  the  Continent 
jof  North  America,  by  John  Marshall.  8vo.  Philadelphia,  1824. 
Chap.  X. 


WAR  AGAINST   SPAIN.  217 

British  miuister  to  abandon  his  pacific  system  ;  and 
war  was  declared  against  Spain  on  the  23d  of  Oc- 
tober, 1739.  A  squadron,  commanded  by  Admiral 
Vernon  was  detached  for  the  West  Indies,  with 
instructions  to  act  upon  the  defensive  ;  and  Gen- 
eral Oglethorpe  was  ordered  to  annoy  the  settle- 
ments in  Florida.^ 

It  now  became  necessary  for  Oglethorpe  to  take 
the  most  prompt  and  effective  measures  for  the  pro- 
tection of  the  Colony  ;  and,  as  his  settlement  had, 
from  the  beginning,  been  opposed  by  the  Spaniards 
at  St.  Augustine,  and  would  now  have  to  encounter 
their  resentful  assaults,  he  must  put  into  requisition 
all  his  military  force,  and  see  to  their  adequate 
equipment.  He  immediately  took  measures  for  rais- 
ing a  troop  of  thirty  rangers,  to  prevent  the  Spanish 
horse  and  Indians  at  St.  Augustine  from  making 
incursions  into  the  Province  ;  and  likewise  to  inter- 
cept the  runaway  negroes  of  Carolina,  on  their  way 
through  the  country  to  join  the  Spaniards.  At  the 
same  time  he  summoned  four  hundred  Creeks,  and 
six  hundred  Cherokee  Indians  to  march  down  to 
the   southern   borders.     He  then  viewed  the  arms 

'  Historical  Review  of  the  Transactions  of  Europe,  from  the  com- 
mencement of  the  War  with  Spain,  in  1739,  to  thS  Insurrection  in 
Scotland,  in  1745,  by  Samuel  Boyse.  8vo.  Dublin,  1748.  Vol. 
I.  p.  27. 

28 


218  WAR   AGAINST   SPAIN. 

of  the  militia,  to  ascertain  that  they  were  all  in 
good  order,  and  gave  directions  that  powder,  balls, 
and  flints,  should  be  issued  out  of  the  magazine, 
for  supplying  each  member  with  a  proper  quantity. 
But  aware  that  all  this  would  be  too  inconsiderable 
for  effectual  resistance,  he  perceived  it  to  be  ex- 
pedient to  seek  the  protection  of  the  West  India 
fleet,  and  to  apply  to  the  Assembly  of  South  Caro- 
lina for  cooperation  in  a  cause,  in  the  event  of 
which  their  own  safety  was  involved.  Accordingly 
he  immediately  sent  up  to  Charlestown  to  desire 
assistance,  and  to  consult  measures  with  the  com- 
manders of  the  men  of  war  then  on  the  station,  in 
order  immediately  to  block  up  St.  Augustine  before 
the  Spaniards  could  receive  supplies  and  reinforce- 
ments from  Cuba  ;  which,  if  properly  executed, 
the  place  would,  in  all  probability,  be  soon  reduced.^ 
This  application  was  laid  before  the  General  As- 
sembly, and,  on  the  8th  of  November,  a  Committee 
was  appointed  to  take  the  same  into  consideration. 
Their  Report  was  discussed  in  both  Houses  of  As- 
sembly ;  but  no  decision  was  obtained. 

Having    taken    these  preparatory  measures,  he 
returned  to  Frederica  to  make  all  the  arrangements 

'  See  his  letter  in  the  History  of  the  Rise  and  Progress  of 
Georgia,  Harris's  Voyages,  II.  p.  338,  dated  21st  of  September, 
1739. 


SPANISH  BARBARITY.  219 

which  the  exigences  of  the  case  required,  in  the 
equipment  of  his  own  forces,  and  by  calling  upon 
his  Indian  allies ;  waiting,  with  impatience,  how- 
ever, the  result  of  his  application  to  the  sister 
Colony. 

Towards  the  middle  of  November  a  party  of 
Spaniards  landed  in  the  night  time  upon  Amelia 
island,  and  skulked  in  the  thicket  till  morning, 
when  two  Highlanders,  unarmed,  went  into  the 
woods  for  fuel ;  upon  whom  the  Spaniards  fired, 
first  five  and  then  ten  shot ;  which  was  heard  by 
Francis  Brooks,  who  commanded  the  scout-boat 
upon  the  coast.  He  immediately  made  a  signal 
to  the  Fort,  which  was  then  garrisoned  by  a  de- 
tachment of  General  Oglethorpe's  regiment.  Upon 
this  a  party  instantly  went  out,  but  they  arrived 
too  late,  for  they  found  their  comrades  dead,  and 
that  the  assassins  had  taken  to  their  boat,  and  put 
out  to  sea.  The  bodies  of  the  soldiers  were  not 
only  rent  with  shot,  but  most  barbarously  mangled 
and  hacked.  The  periodical  publication  from  which 
this  account  is  taken,  has  the  following  remarks  :  ^ 
"  Whence  it  was  apparent  that  the  Spaniards  had 
first,  out  of  cowardice,  shot  them,  and  then,  out  of 
cruelty,  cut  and  slashed  them  with  their  swords. 
If  they  had  not   been   most  scandalous  poltroons, 

'  Annals  of  Europe,  for  1739,  p.  410. 


220  PERrETRATORS  PURSUED. 

they  would  have  taken  the  two  unarmed  men 
prisoners,  without  making  any  noise ;  and  then 
they  might  have  lurked  in  the  wood  till  they  had 
found  an  opportunity  of  getting  a  better  booty,  or 
at  least  of  making  more  prisoners.  And,  if  they 
had  not  been  most  barbarously  cruel,  they  would 
have  been  satisfied  with  simply  killing  these  unre- 
sisting men,  (which  might  have  been  without  such 
a  volley  of  shot,)  and  not  have  so  mangled  their 
bodies  after  they  were  slain.  From  such  cowardly 
and  cruel  foes  no  mercy  can  be  expected  ;  and 
every  one  sent  against  them  must  despair  if  he 
finds  himself  in  danger  of  being  overpowered,  and 
wrought  up  to  desperation  and  revenge  when  he 
finds  himself  any  thing  near  upon  an  equal  footing." 
Upon  being  informed  of  this  outrage,  Oglethorpe 
fitted  out  and  manned  a  gun  boat,  and  pursued 
them  by  water  and  land,  above  a  hundred  miles  ; 
but  they  escaped.  By  way  of  reprisal,  however, 
he  passed  the  St.  John's  into  Florida ;  drove  in  the 
guards  of  Spanish  horse  that  were  posted  on  that 
river  ;  and  advanced  as  far  as  a  place  called  the 
Canallas ;  at  the  same  time  sending  Captain  Dun- 
bar with  a  party  to  find  out  the  situation  and  force 
of  the  fort  at  Picolata,  near  the  river,  upon  what 
were  then  called  "  the  lakes  of  Florida,"  eighty 
miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  river.     They  attacked 


JEOPARDY  OF  THE  GENERAL.  221 

the  garrison,  but  were  repulsed,  having  no  artillery. 
They  accomplished,  however,  the  intentions  of 
Oglethorpe,  as  they  reconnoitred  both  that  place  and 
another  fort  called  St.  Francis. 

In  January  he  returned  to  Frederica,  where  he 
met  with  Captain  Warren,'  who  had  lately  arrived 
with  the  Squirrel  man  of  war.  When  their  con- 
sultation was  concluded.  Captain  Warren  went  and 
cruised  off  the  Bay  of  St.  Augustine,  while  Ogle- 
thorpe, with  a  detachment  of  troops  on  board  of 
the  boats,  and  some  artillery,  went  up  the  Lakes 
of  Florida,  rowing  by  day,  and  sailing  by  night,  so 
that  he  attacked  the  two  forts  Picolata  and  St. 
Francis,  took  both  the  same  day,  and  made  the 
soldiers  in  the  garrisons  prisoners  of  war. 

Captain  Hugh  Mackay,  in  a  letter  to  Colonel 
Cecil,  dated  Frederica,  24th  of  January,  1740,  says, 
"  The  General  escaped  very  narrowly  being  killed 
by  a  cannon  ball  at  Fort  St.  Francis,  or,  as  the 
Spaniards  called  it,  '  San  Francisco  de  Papa.' " 

*  Afterwards  Sir  Peter  Wareen,  an  excellent  naval  officer. 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

Oglethorpe  addresses  a  letter  to  Lieutenant-Governor  Bull,  suggest- 
ing an  expedition  against  St.  Augustine  —  Follows  this,  by  ap- 
plication in  person  —  Promised  assistance,  and  cooperation  — 
Returns  to  Frederica — Collects  his  forces  —  Passes  over  to 
Florida  —  Takes  several  Spanish  forts  —  Is  joined  by  the  Caro- 
linean  troops  —  The  enemy  receive  supplies  —  Oglethorpe  changes 
the  siege  into  a  blockade  —  Takes  possession  of  Anastasia  Island 
—  Colonel  Palmer  and  his  men  surprised  and  cut  to  pieces  — 
Spanish  cruelties  —  English  fleet  quit  the  station —  Siege  raised, 
and  Oglethorpe  returns  to  Frederica. 

Br  the  information  which  Oglethorpe  was  able  to 
obtain  from  the  prisoners,  which  confirmed  the  ac- 
counts received  from  other  sources,  he  learned  that 
the  garrison  at  St.  Augustine  was  in  want  of  provi- 
sions ;  and  that,  the  half-gallejs  having  been  sent 
to  the  Havana  for  troops  and  supplies,  the  river 
and  sea-board  were  destitute  of  defence.  Such 
being  the  case,  he  conceived  that  a  fitting  opportu- 
nity now  offered  for  the  reduction  of  the  place, 
taking  the  enemy  by  surprise,  before  the  reinforce- 


ASSISTANCE  OF   SOUTH  CAROLINA.  223 

ments  arrived  ;  and  therebj  dispossessing  the  Span- 
iards of  Florida.  He,  therefore,  sent  an  express  to 
Lieutenant-Governor  Bull,  urging  an  immediate 
compliance  with  his  application  for  assistance.  The 
consideration  was  accordingly  renew'ed  in  the  As- 
sembly on  the  4th  of  February.  At  length  Ogle- 
thorpe, impatient  of  delays  occasioned  by  their  con- 
tinued demurring  about  the  feasibility  of  the  project, 
presented  himself  before  them,  that  they  might  be 
made  acquainted  more  fully  with  his  intentions, 
and  with  every  thing  relative  to  their  being  carried 
into  execution.  After  many  conferences,  a  scheme 
of  action  was  agreed  upon,  and  an  Act  of  Assembly 
passed,  April  5th,  1740,  for  the  raising  of  a  regi- 
ment of  four  hundred  men,  to  be  commanded  by 
Colonel  Vanderdussen  ;  a  troop  of  rangers  ;*  pre- 
sents for  the  Indians  ;  and  supply  of  provisions 
for  three  months.^  They  also  furnished  a  large 
schooner,  with  ten  carriage  and  sixteen  swivel 
guns,  in  which  they  put  fifty  men  under  the  com- 
mand of  Captain  Tyrrell. 

With  this  encouragement,   and   the  promise  of 
cooperation    by  Commodore   Vincent   Price,    who 

'  As  the  Rangers  could  not  be  procured,  the  Assembly  afterwards 
voted  an  addition  of  two  hundred  men. 

*  The  terra  of  service,  and,  of  course,  the  amount  of  supply,  were 
afterwards  extended  to  four  months. 


224  PREPARATIONS  FOR   THE   SIEGE. 

commanded  the  small  fleet  on  that  station,  the 
place  of  rendezvous  was  appointed  at  the  mouth  of 
St.  John's  river.  The  General  then  published  his 
manifesto/  and  immediately  hastened  back  to  Geor- 
gia to  prepare  his  forces  for  the  expedition. 

On  the  beginning  of  April  he  went  to  the  Uchee 
town  to  engage  runners  to  his  Indian  allies  to  in- 
form them  of  his  intended  assault  of  St.  Augustine  ; 
to  bespeak  their  assistance,  and  request  their  chiefs 
and  warriors  to  join  his  forces  atFrederica,  whither 
he  immediately  repaired.  There  he  completed  the 
equipment  of  his  forces  ;  selected  the  field-pieces 
and  their  carriages,  balls  and  powder ;  and  attend- 
ed to  the  military  accoutrements,  stores  and  pro- 
visions. 

On  the  9th  of  May  he  passed  over  to  Florida 
with  four  hundred  selected  men  of  his  regiment, 
and  a  considerable  party  of  Indians,  headed  by 
Molochi,  son  of  Prim  the  late  chief  of  the  Creeks ; 
Raven,  war-chief  of  the  Cherokees ;  and  Toona- 
howi,  nephew  of  Tomo  Chichi.  On  the  evening 
of  the  10th,  part  of  the  Carolina  forces  arrived. 

As  the  first  thing  to  be  done  was  to  take  the 
forts  that  kept  open  the  communication  of  the 
Spaniards  with  the  country,  and  thus  cut  off  their 

'  Appendix,  No.  XXII. 


^ 


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«5i 


DE   PUPA  AND  DIEGO   TAKEN,  225 

supplies,  the  General,  impatient  of  losing  time,  in- 
vested the  small  fort  called  Francis  de  Pupa,  seven- 
teen miles  north  of  St.  Augustine,  commanded  by 
a  sergeant  and  twelve  men,  who  surrendered  with- 
out a  contest.  Thence  he  proceeded  to  Fort  Diego, 
situated  on  the  plains,  twenty-five  miles  from  St. 
Augustine,  defended  by  eleven  guns,  and  fifty  reg- 
ulars, besides  Indians  and  negroes.  In  his  sortie 
upon  this,  he  made  use  of  a  little  stratagem,  as  well 
as  force ;  which  was  by  appointing  three  or  four 
drums  to  beat,  at  the  same  time,  in  different  places 
in  the  woods,  and  a  few  men  now  and  then  to 
appear  suddenly,  and  withdraw  out  of  sight  again. 
At  this,  the  enemy  in  the  fort  were  so  confounded, 
with  the  apprehension  that  they  were  surrounded 
by  a  great  number  of  troops,  that  they  made  only  a 
feint  of  opposition ;  and,  being  summoned  to  sur- 
render, did  so,  on  condition  of  being  treated  as 
prisoners  of  war,  and,  (what  they  principally  in- 
sisted on)  not  to  be  delivered  into  the  hands 
of  the  Indians,  from  whom  they  were  conscious 
that  they  had  incurred  the  most  condign  repri- 
sals for  former  aggressions.^  The  other  articles 
were  that  they  should  deliver  up  the  guns  and 
stores,  which  consisted  of  nine  swivel  and  two  car- 


^     '  Stephens,  II.  3S9. 
29 


226  CAROLINA  TROOPS  ARRIVE. 

riage  guns,  with  the  powder  and  shot,  &c. ;  that 
they  should  have  liberty  to  keep  their  baggage ; 
that  Seignior  Diego  Spinosa,  to  whom  the  fort 
belonged,  it  having  been  built  at  his  expense,  and 
on  his  land,  should  hold  his  plantation  and  slaves, 
and  such  other  effects  as  were  not  already  plunder- 
ed in  the  field ;  and,  finally,  that  no  deserters  or 
runaways  from  Charlestown  should  have  the  benefit 
of  this  capitulation.  Here  he  left  a  garrison  of 
sixty  men,  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Dun- 
bar, to  secure  the  retreat  of  the  army,  in  case  of 
accidents,  and  to  preserve  a  safe  communication 
with  the  settlements  in  Georgia.  He  then  return- 
ed to  the  place  of  rendezvous,  where  he  was  joined 
on  the  19th  of  May  by  Captain  M'Intosh,  with  a 
company  of  Highlanders,  and  Colonel  Vanderdus- 
sen,  with  the  rest  of  the  Carolina  troops,  but  with- 
out any  horse,  pioneers,  or  negroes. 

By  this  time  six  Spanish  half-galleys,  with  a 
number  of  long  brass  nine  pounders,  manned  with 
two  hundred  regulars,  and  attended  by  two  sloops 
loaded  with  ammunition  and  provisions,  had  enter- 
ed the  harbor  of  St.  Augustine,  so  that  the  forces 
in  the  town  and  castle  were  very  nearly  equal  in 
numbers  to  the  land  forces  brought  against  them, 
and  their  artillery  much  superior. 

Notwithstanding   all    the   reinforcement    which 


PROPOSED  ATTACK  ON   ST.  AUGUSTINE.       227 

Oglethorpe  had  received,  it  was  judged  impractica- 
ble to  take  the  place  by  assault  from  the  land  side, 
unless  an  attack  could  be  made  at  the  same  time 
by  the  boats  of  the  men  of  war,  and  other  small 
craft,  on  the  sea  side,  on  which  the  town  had  no 
intrenchments  ;  and  to  begin  a  regular  siege  on 
the  land  side  was  impossible,  as  he  had  neither 
force  enough  for  investing  the  place,  nor  any  pio- 
neers for  breaking  the  ground,  and  carrying  on  the 
approaches.  For  this  reason  it  was  concerted  be- 
tween him  and  the  sea  commanders,  that  as  soon 
as  they  arrived  otf  the  bar  of  the  north  channel,  he 
should  march  up  with  his  whole  force,  consisting  of 
about  two  thousand  men,  to  St.  Augustine,  and 
give  notice  by  a  signal  agreed  on,  that  he  was 
ready  to  begin  the  attack  by  land  ;  which  should 
be  answered  by  a  counter  signal  from  the  fleet  of 
their  readiness  to  attack  it  by  sea.  Accordingly 
the  General  marched,  and  arrived  near  the  in- 
trenchments of  St.  Augustine,  June  4th,  at  night, 
having  in  his  way  taken  Fort  Moosa,  about  three 
miles  from  St.  Augustine,  which  the  garrison  had 
abandoned  upon  his  approach.  He  ordered  the 
gates  of  the  fort  to  be  burnt,  and  three  breaches  to 
be  made  in  the  walls. 

As  soon  as  it  was  proper  to  begin  the  attack,  he 
made  the  signal  agreed  on,  but  had  no  countersign 


228         THE   FLEET   DOES  NOT  COOPERATE. 

from  the  men  of  war.  This  was  to  his  utter  sur- 
prise and  disappointment.  The  reason  which  was 
afterwards  assigned,  was,  that  the  fleet  had  ascer- 
tained that  their  promised  cooperation  had  been 
rendered  impracticable ;  as  the  galleys  had  been 
drawn  up  abreast  in  the  channel  between  the  cas- 
tle and  the  island,  so  that  any  boats  which  they 
should  send  in  must  have  been  exposed  to  the  can- 
non and  musketry  of  the  galleys,  as  well  as  the  bat- 
teries of  the  castle ;  and,  as  no  ships  of  force 
could  get  in  to  protect  them,  they  must  have  been 
defeated,  if  not  wholly  destroyed ;  and  that  it  was 
impossible  to  make  an  attack  by  sea,  while  the  gal- 
leys were  in  that  position.  It  being  presumptuous 
to  make  an  attack  without  the  aid  of  the  fleet,  the 
General  was  under  the  necessity  of  marching  back 
to  Fort  Diego,  where  he  had  left  all  his  provisions, 
camp  furniture,  and  tools  ;  because  he  had  neither 
horses  nor  carriages  for  taking  them  along  with 
him  by  land,  nor  had  then  any  place  for  landing 
them  near  St.  Augustine,  had  he  sent  them  by 
Water.^ 

Disappointed  in  the  project  of  taking  the  place 
by  storm,  he  changed  his  plan  of  operations,  and 
resolved,  with  the   assistance  of  the   ships  of  war, 

'  London  Magazine,  Vol.  XXVII.  p.  22. 


PROPOSED  BLOCKADE.  229 

which  were  lying  at  anchor  off  the  bar,  to  turn  the 
siege  into  a  blockade,  and  to  shut  up  every  chan- 
nel by  which  provisions  could  be  conveyed  to  the 
garrison.  For  this  purpose,  he  stationed  Colonel 
Palmer,  with  his  company,  at  Fort  Moosa,  to  scour 
the  woods,  and  intercept  all  supplies  from  the  coun- 
try; and  "enjoined  it  upon  him,  for  greater  safety, 
to  encamp  every  night  in  a  different  place,  and,  by 
all  means  to  avoid  coming  into  action."  He  also 
charged  him,  if  he  should  perceive  any  superior 
party  sallying  forth  from  St.  Augustine,  to  make  a 
quick  retreat  towards  Fort  Diego,  where  it  was 
certain  the  enemy  would  not  follow  him,  for  fear  of 
having  their  retreat  cut  off  by  a  detachment  from 
the  army.  He  sent  Colonel  Vanderdussen,  with 
his  regiment,  to  take  possession  of  Point  Quartell, 
at  a  creek  which  makes  the  mouth  of  the  harbor 
opposite  Anastasia  ;  and  this  lie  did  "  because  they 
would  be  safe  there,  being  divided  from  St.  Augus- 
tine, and  covered  from  any  sally  that  would  be 
made  by  the  garrison."  ^ 

As  there  was  a  battery  on  Anastasia,  which  de- 
fended the  entry  to  St.  Augustine,  the  Commo- 
dore suggested  that,  if  a  body  of  troops  should  be 


'  History  of  the  British  Settlements  in  North  America.  Lond.  1773, 
4to,  page  163. 


230  LANDING  ON  ANASTASIA. 

sent  to  land  upon  that  island,  under  favor  of  the 
men  of  war,  and  dispossess  it,  he  would  then  send 
the  small  vessels  into  the  harbor,  which  was  too 
shallow  to  admit  the  ships.  Upon  this,  the  Gen- 
eral marched  to  the  coast,  and  embarked  in  the 
boats  of  the  men  of  war,  with  a  party  of  two  hun- 
dred men,  and  most  of  the  Indians.  Captain  War- 
ren, with  two  hundred  seamen,  attached  themselves 
to  this  expedition. 

Perceiving  that  the  Spaniards  were  advanta- 
geously posted  behind  the  sand-hills,  covered  by 
the  battery  upon  the  island,  and  the  fire  from  the 
half-galleys  which  lay  in  shoal  water  where  the  men 
of  war  could  not  come,  he  ordered  the  heavy  boats 
to  remain  and  seem  as  though  they  intended  to  land 
near  them,  while  he,  with  Captain  Warren  and  the 
pinnaces,  rowed,  with  all  the  speed  they  could,  to 
the  southward  about  two  miles.  The  Spaniards 
behind  the  sand-hills  strove  to  prevent  their  land- 
ing, but  before  they  could  come  up  in  any  order, 
the  boats  had  got  so  near  to  the  shore  that  the 
General  and  Captain  Warren,  with  the  seamen  and 
Indians,  leaped  into  the  water  breast  high,  landed, 
and  took  possession  of  the  sand-hills.  The  Span- 
iards retreated  in  the  utmost  confusion  to  the  bat- 
tery ;  but  were  pursued   so  vigorously,  that  they 


BATTERIES  ERECTED.  231 

were  driven  into  the  water,  and  took  shelter  in  the 
half-galleys.' 

All  hands  were  now  set  to  work  to  erect  the 
batteries,  whence  a  cannonade  was  made  upon  the 
town.  This,  however,  was  to  little  effect ;  partly 
from  the  distance,  and  partly  from  the  condition  of 
some  of  the  field  pieces  which  were  employed. 
The  enemy  returned  a  brisk  fire  from  the  castle 
and  from  the  half-galleys  in  the  harbor.  The  latter, 
chiefly  annoying  the  camp,  it  was  agreed  to  attack 
them  ;  but  though  Commodore  Price  had  propos- 
ed that  measure  to  Colonel  Vanderdussen  first, 
he  altered  his  opinion  and  would  not  consent 
to  it. 

"  Thirty-six  pieces  of  cannon,  together  with 
planks  for  batteries,  and  all  other  necessaries,  with 
four  hundred  pioneers  were  to  have  come  from  Caro- 
lina ;  but  only  twelve  pieces  of  cannon  arrived.  Of 
course,  for  want  of  planks  for  batteries,  they  were 
obliged  to  fire  upon  the  ground,  the  consequence  of 
which  was,  that  their  carriages  were  soon  broken, 
and  could  not  be  repaired."^ 

The  Spaniards,  on  the  other  hand,  had  surprised 
and  cut  to  pieces  the  detachment  under  Colonel 
Palmer.     Of  this  disastrous  event,  the  particulars 

'  London  Magazine,  Vol.  XXVII.  p.  22. 

^  History  of  British  Settlements  in  North  America,  p.  165. 


232  COLONEL  PALMER  AT  MOOS.A. 

are  given  by  one  who  could  say,  —  "  Quos  ego 
miserrimns  vidi,  et  quorum  pars  magna  fui."  [Which 
I  had  the  misfortune  to  see,  and  greatly  to  share.] 
I  refer  to  a  letter  from  Ensign  Hugh  Mackay  to  his 
brother  in  Scotland,  dated  at  Fort  St.  Andrews, 
on   Cumberland  Island,  August  10th,  1740. 

After  some  introductory  remarks,  he  gives  the 
following  account  of  the  action  : 

"On  the  9th  of  June  the  General  sent  out  a 
flying  party  of  militia,  Indians,  and  thirteen  sol- 
diers, in  all  making  one  hundred  and  thirty-seven 
men,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Palmer,  a 
Carolina  gentleman,  an  old  Indian  warrior,  of  great 
personal  resolution,  but  little  conduct.  Under  him 
I  commanded  the  party,  and  had  orders  to  march 
from  St.  Diego,  the  head-quarters,  to  Moosa,  three 
miles  from  St.  Augustine,  a  small  fort  which  the 
Spaniards  had  held,  but  was  demolished  a  few  days 
before;  there  to  show  ourselves  to  the  Spaniards, and 
thereafter  to  keep  moving  from  one  place  to  another 
to  divert  their  attention,  while  the  General  took 
another  route,  and  intended  to  come  to  Moosa  in 
five  days.  The  orders  were  just,  and  might  with 
safety  be  executed,  had  a  regular  officer  command- 
ed ;  but  poor  Colonel  Palmer,  whose  misfortune  it 
was  to  have  a  very  mean  opinion  of  his  enemies, 
would  by  no  means  be  prevailed  upon  to  leave  the 


FATE  OF  COLONEL  PALMER.       233 

old  fort,  bat  staid  there,  thinking  the  Spaniards 
durst  not  attack  him.  He  was  mistaken,  as  will 
appear  presently. 

"  Upon  the  loth  day  of  June,  about  four  in  the 
morning,  we  were  attacked  by  a  detachment  of 
five  hundred,  from  the  garrison  of  St.  Augustine, 
composed  of  Spaniards,  negroes,  and  Indians,  be- 
sides a  party  of  horse  to  line  the  paths,  that  none 
of  us  might  escape.  Apprehending  that  this  would 
happen,  I  obtained  leave  of  Colonel  Palmer,  and 
therefore  ordered  our  drum  to  beat  to  arms  at  three 
o'clock  every  morning,  and  to  have  our  men  in 
readiness  till  it  was  clear  day.  Thus  it  was  upon 
the  fatal  I5th  of  June,  as  I  have  said,  when  the 
Spaniards  attacked  us  with  a  very  smart  fire  from 
their  small  arms ;  in  which  Colonel  Palmer  fell  the 
first.  We  returned  the  fire  with  the  greatest  brisk- 
ness that  can  be  imagined  ;  and  so  the  firing  con- 
tinued for  some  time ;  but,  unluckily,  we  were 
penned  up  in  a  demolished  fort;  there  was  no  room 
to  extend.  The  Spaniards  endeavored  to  get  in 
at  the  ruinous  gate  ;  and  our  party  defended  the 
same  with  the  utmost  bravery.  Here  was  a  terri- 
ble slaughter  on  both  sides  ;  but  the  Spaniards, 
who  were  five  times  our  number,  got  at  last,  by 
dint  of  strength,  the  better  ;  which,  when  I  saw, 
and  that  some  prisoners  were  made,  I  ordered  as 

30 


234  SAD  CATASTROPHE. 

many  of  my  party  then  as  were  alive  to  draw  off. 
We  had  great  difficulty  to  get  clear,  for  the  Span- 
iards surrounded  the  fort  on  all  sides.  However, 
by  the  assistance  of  God,  we  got  our  way  made 
good ;  drew  up  in  sight  of  the  enemy,  and  retired, 
without  being  pursued,  till  we  were  in  safety.  I 
had  no  more  than  twenty-five  men,  and  some  of 
them  very  ill  wounded,  of  which  number  Iwas,  for 
I  received  three  wounds  at  the  fort  gate,  but  they 
were  slight  ones.  Several  of  the  poor  Highlanders, 
who  were  in  the  engagement,  and  fought  like  lions, 
lost  their  lives,  —  some  of  them  your  acquaintance. 

"  I  commanded,  next  Colonel  Palmer,  as  captain 
of  the  horse,  on  the  militia  establishment.  My 
lieutenant  was  killed.  My  cornet  and  quarter- 
master were  made  prisoners  of  war,  with  four  more 
of  the  Highlanders.  Charles  Mackay,  nephew  to 
Captain  Hugh  Mackay,  who  was  ensign  of  militia, 
received  five  wounds  in  the  action,  and  lost  one  of 
his  fingers  ;  and,  thereafter,  rather  than  fall  into  the 
hands  of  the  Spaniards,  ventured  to  swim  an  inlet 
of  the  sea,  about  a  mile  broad,  and  had  the  good 
fortune  to  get  to  the  side  he  intended,  and  so  to 
the  General's  camp. 

"  As  the  Indians  fled  several  different  ways,  no 
more  account  is  yet  heard  of  them,  only  that  some 
of  them  were  killed  in  the  action,  and  others  wound- 


I 


ESCAPE  OF  THE  CREEKS.        235 

ed  and  taken  prisoners.  I  believe  there  were  sixty 
killed,  and  twenty  taken  prisoners  of  our  whole 
party.  To  some  of  our  Creek  Indians  who  were 
taken  by  the  enemy,  leave  was  given  (to  curry 
favor  with  their  nation)  to  return  home.  They 
told  me  that  we  killed  a  great  number  of  the  Span- 
iards at  Moosa,  and  that  they  were  dying  by  fives 
and  sixes  a  day  after  getting  into  the  town  ;  so 
miserably  were  they  cut  by  our  broad  swords ;  yet 
by  their  great  numbers  they  got  the  day ;  but  were 
sadly  mauled,  otherwise  they  would  have  pursued 
me." 

The  fate  of  Colonel  Palmer  was  the  more  affect- 
ing, from  the  consideration  that  he  had  raised  one 
hundred  and  fifty  good  men,  who  had  come  with 
him  as  volunteers  ;  that  he  was  in  a  fort  in  which 
a  breach  had  been  made,  and  of  course  was  no 
adequate  protection  ;  and  that  he  was  beyond  the 
reach  of  any  assistance.  It  has,  indeed,  been  said 
that  he  was  not  enough  mindful  of  the  directions 
that  had  been  given  him,  and  presumptuously 
exposed  himself  to  danger.^ 

Mr.  Stephens  remarks  that  "  the  most  bloody 
part  of  all  fell  to  the  unhappy  share  of  our  good 
people  of  Darien,  who,  almost  to  a  man  en- 
gaged, under  the  command  of  their  leader,  John 

'  Appendix,  No.  XXIII. 


236  OF  THE   INDIAN  NICHOLAUSA. 

Moore  Mcintosh;  a  worthy  man,  careful  director 
among  his  people  at  home,  and  who  now  showed 
himself  as  valiant  in  the  field  of  battle ;  where, 
calling  on  his  countrymen  and  soldiers  to  follow  his 
example,  they  made  such  havoc  with  their  broad- 
swords, as  the  Spaniards  cannot  easily  forget."  ^ 
This  brave  champion  was  taken  prisoner,  and  suf- 
fered severe  and  cruel  treatment.^ 

The  principal  commander  of  the  Spaniards  fell 
at  the  first  onset. 

The  Spanish  took  several  prisoners  ;  basely  in- 
sulted the  bodies  of  the  dead ;  and  would  have 
inflicted  vengeful  cruelties  on  their  captives,  one 
of  whom  was  an  Indian  named  Nicholausa,  whom 
they  delivered  over  to  the  Yamasees  to  burn,  but 
General  Oglethorpe  sent  a  drum  with  a  message  to 
the  Governor  from  the  Indian  chief  of  the  Chero- 
kees,  acquainting  him  that  if  he  permitted  Nicho- 
lausa to  be  burnt,  a  Spanish  horseman  who  had 
been  taken  prisoner  should  suffer  the  same  fate. 
He  also  mentioned  that,  as  the  Governor  was  a 
gentleman  and  a  man  of  honor,  he  was  persuaded 
that  he  would  put  an  end  to  the  barbarous  usage  of 

'  Journal,  II.  436. 

^  He  was  sent  to  Old  Spain,  where  he  remained  a  prisoner,  at 
Madrid,  for  several  months ;  and  was  finally  exchanged,  and  re- 
turned home  to  Darien. 


GOVERNOR  SUMMONED  TO   SURRENDER.     237 

that  country  ;  and  expected  from  the  humanity  of 
a  Spanish  cavaHer  that  he  would  prohibit  insuhs  to 
the  bodies  of  the  dead,  and  indignities  to  the  prison- 
ers ;  and  he  rather  wished  it,  as  he  should  be  forc- 
ed, against  his  inclination,  to  resort  to  retaliation, 
which  his  Excellency  must  know  that  he  was  very 
able  to  make,  since  his  prisoners  greatly  exceeded 
those  made  by  the  Spaniards.  Upon  this  the  Gov- 
ernor submitted  to  the  rescue  of  Nicholausa  from 
the  fate  to  which  he  had  been  destined.  It  was, 
also,  agreed  that  the  Indians,  on  both  sides,  should 
be  treated  as  prisoners  of  war  ;  so  that  an  end  was 
put  to  their  barbarous  custom  of  burning  the  un- 
happy wretches  who  fell  into  their  hands. 

Oglethorpe  continued  bombarding  the  castle  and 
town  until  the  regular  troops  came  over  from  the 
land  side,  and  the  Carolina  militia  were  removed 
from  Point  Quartel  to  Anastasia.  He  then  sum- 
moned the  Governor  to  surrender,  but  received  an 
indignant  refusal. 

Soon  after  some  sloops,  with  a  reinforcement  of 
men,  and  a  further  supply  of  military  stores  and 
provisions  from  Havana,  found  means  to  enter  the 
harbor  through  the  narrow  channel  of  the  Matanzas. 

Upon  this,  all  prospect  of  starving  the  enemy 
was  lost ;  and  there  remained  onlv  the  chance  of  a 
forcible  assault  and  battery. 


NEW  MEASURES  OF  ATTACK. 

As  the  dernier  resort,  it  was  agreed,  on  the  23d 
of  June,  that  Captain  Warren,  with  the  boats  from 
the  men  of  war,  the  two  sloops  hired  by  General 
Oglethorpe,  and  the  Carolina  vessels,  with  their 
militia,  shoidd  attack  the  half-galleys  ;  and,  at  a 
given  signal,  the  General  should  attack  the  trenches. 

This  was  a  desperate  measure  ;  for  the  whole  of 
the  troops  belonging  to  the  besiegers,  including 
even  the  seamen,  were  much  inferior  in  number  to 
the  garrison.  The  town  was  also  covered  on  one 
side  by  a  castle,  with  four  bastions,  and  fifty  pieces 
of  cannon ;  from  whence  was  run  an  intrenchment, 
flanked  with  several  salient  angles  to  Fort  Coovo, 
on  the  river  Sebastian.  This  intrenchment  con- 
sisted of  the  neck  of  land  from  the  river  Anastasia 
to  that  of  St.  Sebastian,  and  entirely  covered  the 
town  from  the  island. 

Upon  this  the  General  drew  in  all  the  strength 
that  he  possibly  could,  and  sent  for  the  garrison 
that  he  had  left  at  Diego.  Being  joined  by  them 
and  by  the  Creek  Indians,  and  having  made  a  suffi- 
cient number  of  fascines  and  short  ladders,  provided 
all  other  necessaries  for  attacking  the  intrenchments, 
and  brought  up  thirty-six  cohorns,  he  received  no- 
tice that  the  Commodore  had  resolved  to  forego 
the  attack ;  declaring,  that,  as  the  season  of  hur- 
ricanes was  approaching,  he  judged  it  imprudent 


DEPARTURE   OF   THE    FLEET.  239 

to  hazard  his  Majesty's  ships  any  longer  on  the 
coast.^ 

On  the  departure  of  the  fleet,  the  place  was  no 
longer  blockaded  on  the  sea  side  ;  of  course  the 
army  began  to  despair  of  forcing  the  place  to  sur- 
render. The  provincials,  under  Colonel  Vander- 
dussen,  enfeebled  by  the  heat  of  the  climate, 
dispirited  by  fruitless  efforts,  and  visited  by  sickness, 
marched  away  in  large  bodies.^  The  General  him- 
self, laboring  under  a  fever,  and  finding  his  men  as 
well  as  himself  worn  out  by  fatigue,  and  rendered 
unfit  for  action,  reluctantly  abandoned  the  enter- 
prise. On  the  fourth  of  July  everything  which 
he  had  on  the  island  was  reembarked,  the  troops 
transported  to  the  continent,  and  the  whole  army 
began  their  march  for  Georgia  ;  the  Carolina  regi- 
ment first,  and  the  General  with  his  troops  in  the 
rear.  On  this  occasion  a  very  notable  answer  of 
the  Indian  Chief  is  reported;  for,  being  asked  by 
some  of  the  garrison  to  march  off  with  them,  "No!  " 
said  he,  "  I  will  not  stir  a  foot  till  I  see  every  man 

»  Appendix,  No.  XXIV. 

^  Dr.  Ramsay,  the  historian  of  South  Carolina,  with  his  usual 
frankness  and  impartiality,  closes  his  narrative  of  this  siege  with 
the  following  remark.  "On  the  13th  of  August  the  Carolina  regi- 
ment had  reached  Charlestown.  Though  not  one  of  them  had  been 
killed  by  the  enemy,  their  number  was  reduced,  fourteen,  by  disease 
and  accidents." 


240  '^HE   SIEGE   ABANDONED. 

belonging  to  mc  marched  off  before  mc ;  for  I  have 
always  been  the  first  in  advancing  towards  an  ene- 
my, and  the  last  in  retreating."  ^ 

"  Thus  ended  the  expedition  against  St.  Augus- 
tine, to  the  great  disappointment  of  both  Georgia 
and  Carolina.  Many  reflections  were  afterwards 
thrown  out  against  General  Oglethorpe  for  his  con- 
duct during  the  whole  enterprise.  He,  on  the  other 
hand,  declared  that  he  had  no  confidence  in  the 
Provincials,  for  that  they  refused  to  obey  his  orders, 
and  abandoned  the  camp,  and  returned  home  in 
large  numbers,  and  that  the  assistance  from  the  fleet 
failed  him  in  the  utmost  emergency.  To  which  we 
may  add,  the  place  was  so  strongly  fortified  both 
by  nature  and  art,  that  probably  the  attempt  must 
have  failed  though  it  had  been  conducted  by  the 
ablest  officer,  and  executed  by  the  best  disciplined 
troops."^ 

The  difficulties  which  opposed  his  success,  showed 
the  courage  that  could  meet,  and  the  zeal  that  strove 
to  surmount  them  ;  and,  while  we  lament  the  failure, 
we  perceive  that  it  was  owing  to  untoward  circum- 
stances which  he  could  not  have  foreseen ;  and  dis- 
appointments from  a  quarter  whence  he  most  con- 
fidently expected    and   depended   upon  continued 

>  Londo7i  Magazine,  Vol.  XXVII.  p.  23. 
*  Harris's  Voyage,  II.  340. 


DUKE   OF  ARGYLE'S  OPINION.  241 

cooperation  and  ultimate  accomplishment.  Refer- 
ring to  this,  in  a  speech  in  the  British  house  of  Peers, 
the  Duke  of  Argyle  made  these  remarks  :  "  One 
man  there  is,  my  Lords,  whose  natural  generosity, 
contempt  of  danger,  and  regard  for  the  public, 
prompted  him  to  obviate  the  designs  of  the  Span- 
iards, and  to  attack  them  in  their  own  territories  ; 
a  man,  whom  by  long  acquaintance  I  can  confi- 
dently affirm  to  have  been  equal  to  his  undertaking, 
and  to  have  learned  the  art  of  war  by  a  regular  edu- 
cation, who  yet  miscarried  in  the  design  only  for 
want  of  supplies  necessary  to  a  possibility  of  suc- 
cess." ' 

A  writer,  who  had  good  authority  for  his  opinion, 
declares,  that,  "  though  this  expedition  was  not 
attended  with  the  success  some  expected  from  it, 
the  taking  the  fortress  of  St.  Augustine,  it  was, 
nevertheless,  of  no  little  consequence,  inasmuch  as 
it  kept  the  Spaniards  for  a  long  time  on  the  defen- 
sive, and  the  war  at  a  distance ;  so  that  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Carolina  felt  none  of  its  effects  as  a  Colony, 
excepting  the  loss  suffered  by  their  privateers,  till 
the  Spaniards  executed  their  long  projected  inva- 
sion in  1742,  in  which  they  employed  their  whole 
strength,  and  from  which  they  expected  to  have 

'  "  Laudari  viris  laudatis"  —  to  be  praised  by  men  themselves 
renowned,  is  certainly  the  most  valuable  species  of  commendation. 
31 


242    GOVERNOR  BELCHER  TO  LORD  EGMONT. 

changed  the  whole  face  of  the  Continent  of  North 
America  ;  and,  even  then,  the  people  of  Carolina 
suffered  only  by  their  fears."  ^ 

In  a  letter  to  Lord  Egmont,  by  Governor  Bel- 
cher, dated  Boston,  May  24th,  1741,  is  this  remark ; 
"  I  was  heartily  sorry  for  the  miscarriage  of  General 
Oglethorpe's  attempt  on  Augustine,  in  which  I  could 
not  learn  where  the  mistake  was,  or  to  what  it  was 
owing,  unless  to  a  wrong  judgment  of  the  strength 
of  the  place,  to  which  the  force  that  attacked^  it, 
they  say,  was  by  no  means  equal.  I  wish  that  a 
part  of  Admiral  Vernon's  fleet  and  General  Went- 
worth's  forces  may  give  it  a  visit,  before  the  Span- 
iards sue  for  peace.  It  seems  to  me  absolutely 
necessary  for  the  quieting  of  the  English  possessions 
of  Carolina  and  Georgia,  that  we  should  reduce 
Augustine  to  the  obedience  of  the  British  crown, 
and  keep  it,  as  Gibraltar  and  Mahon."  ^ 

'  Harris's  Voyages,  Vol.  II.  page  340. 

'  Letter-book   of  his   Excellency    Jonathan   Belcher,   in    the 
archives  of  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society,  Vol.  V.  p.  254. 


CHAPTER    XV. 

Oglethorpe  pays  particular  attention  to  internal  Improvements  — 
Meets  with  many  annoyances  —  The  Creeks,  under  Toonahowi, 
make  an  incursion  into  Florida  —  The  Spanish  form  a  design 
upon  Georgia —  Some  of  their  fleet  appear  on  the  coast —  Ogle- 
thorpe prepares  for  defence  —  Applies  to  South  Carolina  for  as- 
sistance—  Spaniards  attack  Fort  William  —  Dangerous  situation 
of  Oglethorpe  —  Spanish  fleet  enter  the  harbor  and  land  on  St. 
Simons  —  la  three  successive  engagements  they  are  defeated  — 
A  successful  stratagem  —  Enemy  defeated  at  Bloody  Marsh  — 
Retire  and  attack  Fort  "William,  which  is  bravely  defended  by 
Ensign  Stewart  —  Spanish  forces,  repulsed  in  all  their  assaults, 
abandon  the  invasion  in  dismay,  and  return  to  St.  Augustine  and 
to  Cuba. 

Or  the  year  1741  but  few  memorials  are  to  be 
found.  Oglethorpe  resided  principally  at  Fred- 
erica  ;  but  occasionally  visited  Savannah  ;  and, 
every  where,  and  at  all  times,  actively  exerted  his 
powers  of  persuasion,  his  personal  influence,  or  his 
delegated  authority  to  reconcile  the  jarring  contests 
and  restore  the  social  accordance  and  peace  of  the 
community,  while  with  vigilance  and  precaution  he 


244  DIFFICULTIES   STATED. 

concerted  measures  to  guard  the  Colony  against 
the  threatening  purposes  of  the  Spaniards.  In  re- 
ference to  his  peculiar  trials  and  vexatious  annoy- 
ances, are  the  following  remarks,  copied  from  a  let- 
ter of  a  gentleman  at  Savannah,  deeply  read  in  the 
early  history  of  the  Colony.* 

"  The  difficulties  with  which  General  Oglethorpe 
had  to  contend,  were  peculiarly  onerous  and  per- 
plexing, not  only  with  the  Spanish  foes,  —  with 
the  restless  Indians,  —  with  the  clamorous  settle- 
ment,—  with  discontented  troops,  —  with  meagre 
supplies,  —  with  the  defection  of  Carolina,  —  with 
the  protest  of  his  bills,  and  with  the  refusal  of 
a  just  naval  protection  ;  —  but  the  officers  of  his 
regiment  were  at  enmity  with  him  and  with  each 
other,  and  crimination  and  recrimination  followed, 
disturbing  the  peace,  and  weakening  the  efficiency 
of  the  military  corps.  At  a  Court  Martial,  held 
in  the  early  part  of  January,  1739,  composed  of 
thirteen  officers,  they,  in  their  letter,  dated  12th  of 
January,  to  the  General  speak  thus  — '  2d.  That 
we  have  observed  a  great  spirit  of  mutiny  among 
the  soldiers,  particularly  those  of  Lieutenant  Colo- 
nel Cochran's  company,'  and  '  3d.  That  by  evi- 
dence given  in  Court,  it  appears  to  us  that  Lieu- 

'  William  B.  Stevens,  M.  D.,  letter,  October  19,  1840. 


OGLETHORPE'S  PRECAUTIONS.  245 

tenant  Colonel  James  Cochran  was  in  the  know- 
ledge of,  and  concealed  a  muthiy.'  The  wonder 
is,  that,  with  such  opposing  influences,  and  such 
discordant  materials,  he  effected  any  thing.  That 
he  achieved  so  much,  under  such  adverse  circum- 
stances, proves  him  to  have  been  a  firm,  bold,  in- 
trepid, and  sagacious  man  ;  to  have  possessed  the 
most  eminent  military  qualifications,  and  those  ster- 
ling virtues  which  mock  at  the  petty  malice  of  the 
envious,  and  triumph  over  the  machinations  of  ma- 
lignity." 

He  was,  also,  fully  aware  that,  as  the  Span- 
ish of  Florida  and  Cuba  entertained  no  good  will 
towards  him,  they  would  seek  an  opportunity  to  re- 
taliate his  "  assault  and  battery,"  which,  though  it 
had  proved  on  his  part  a  failure,  had  been  to  them 
a  grievous  annoyance.  He,  therefore,  kept  scout- 
boats  continually  on  the  look  out,  to  give  notice  of 
the  approach  to  the  coast  of  any  armed  vessel.  On 
the  16th  of  August  advice  was  conveyed  to  him 
that  a  large  ship  had  come  to  anchor  off  the  bar. 
He  immediately  sent  out  the  boat  to  ascertain  what 
it  was  ;  and  it  was  perceived  to  be  manned  with 
Spaniards,  with  evidently  hostile  purpose.  Where- 
upon he  went  on  board  the  guard  sloop  to  go  in 
search  of  her  ;  took,  also,  the  sloop  Falcon,  which 
was  in  the  service  of  the  Province ;  and  hired  the 


246       SMALL  NAVAL  EQUIPMENT. 

schooner  Norfolk,  Captain  Davis,  to  join  the  expe- 
dition. These  vessels  were  manned  by  a  detach- 
ment of  his  regiment  nnder  the  following  officers  : 
viz. :  Major  Alexander  Heron,  Captain  Desbrisay, 
Lieutenant  Mackay,  Lieutenant  Tamser,  Ensign 
Hogan,  Ensign  Sterling,  and  Ensigns  Wemyss  and 
Howarth,  and  Adjutant  Maxwell ;  Thomas  Eyre, 
Surgeon  and  Mate  ;  six  sergeants,  six  corporals, 
five  drummers,  and  one  hundred  and  twenty-five 
privates.  Before  they  could  get  down  to  the  bar, 
a  sudden  squall  of  wind  and  storm  of  thunder  and 
rain  came  on  ;  and  when  it  cleared  up  the  vessel 
was  out  of  sight. 

Unwilling,  however,  to  lose  the  object  of  this 
equipment,  on  the  next  day  he  sailed  directly  to- 
wards St.  Augustine  in  pursuit  of  the  ship.  On 
the  19th  the  Falcon  sloop,  being  disabled,  was  sent 
back,  with  seventeen  men  of  the  regiment  ;  and 
the  General  proceeded  with  the  guard  sloop  and 
schooner.  On  the  21st,  by  day-break,  they  dis- 
covered a  ship  and  a  sloop  at  anchor,  about  four  or 
five  leagues  distant ;  and,  it  being  a  dead  calm,  they 
rowed,  till  they  came  up  to  them,  about  noon,  when 
they  found  one  to  be  the  black  Spanish  privateer 
sloop,  commanded  by  a  French  officer.  Captain 
Destrade,  who  had  made  several  prizes  to  the  north- 
ward ;  and  the  other  to  be  a  three-mast  ship ;  both 


SPANISH  VESSELS  REPULSED.  247 

lying  at  anchor  outside  of  the  bar  of  St.  Augustine. 
The  General  issued  orders  to  board  them,  when  the 
wind  fresliing  up,  and  the  English  bearing  down 
upon  them,  they  began  firing  with  great  and  small 
arms,  and  the  English  returning  the  fire,  they  imme- 
diately left  their  anchors,  and  run  over  the  bar. 
The  sloop  and  schooner  pursuing  them  ;  and,  though 
they  engaged  them  for  an  hour  and  a  quarter,  they 
could  not  get  on  board.  The  Spanish  vessels  then 
run  up  towards  the  town  ;  and  as  they  were  hulled, 
and  seemed  disabled,  six  half-galleys  came  down, 
and  kept  firing  nine-pounders,  but,  by  reason  of 
the  distance,  the  shot  did  not  reach  the  sloop  or 
schooner.  That  night  the  General  came  to  anchor 
within  sight  of  the  castle  of  St.  Augustine,  and  the 
next  day  sailed  for  the  Matanzas  ;  but,  finding  no 
vessel  there,  cruised  off  the  bar  of  St.  Augustine, 
and  nothing  coming  out,  the  whole  coast  being  thus 
alarmed,  he  returned  to  Frederica. 

There  were  three  ships,  and  one  two-mast  vessel 
lying  within  the  harbor  at  the  time  that  the  English 
engaged  the  sloop  and  ship.' 

This  summer  one  of  the  Georgia  boats  off  Tybee 
saved  a  three-mast  vessel  which  the  Spaniards  had 
abandoned,  leaving  eighteen  Englishmen  on  board, 

'  Annals  of  Europe,  page  404 . 


248  OGLETHORPE'S  LETTER. 

after  having  barbarously  scuttled  her,  and  choked 
the  pumps,  that  the  men  might  sink  with  the  ship ; 
but  the  boat's  men,  getting  on  board  in  good  time, 
saved  the  men  and  the  ship. 

It  seems  that  the  Creeks,  in  retaliation  of  some 
predatory  and  murderous  outrages  of  the  Florida 
outposts,  made  a  descent  upon  them  in  return.  This 
is  referred  to  in  the  following  extract  from  a  letter 
of  General  Oglethorpe  to  the  Duke  of  Newcastle, 
dated 

"  Frederica,  12th  of  December,  1741. 

"  My  Lord, 

"  Toonahowi,  the  Indian  who  had  the  honor  of 
your  Grace's  protection  in  England,  with  a  party 
of  Creek  Indians,  returned  hither  from  making  an 
incursion  up  to  the  walls  of  Augustine ;  near  which 
they  took  Don  Romualdo  Ruiz  del  Moral,  Lieuten- 
ant of  Spanish  horse,  and  nephew  to  the  late 
Governor,  and  delivered  him  to  me. 

"  The  Governor  of  Augustine  has  sent  the  en- 
closed letter  to  me  by  some  English  prisoners  ;  and, 
the  prisoners  there,  the  enclosed  petition.  On 
which  I  fitted  out  the  vessels,  and  am  going  myself, 
with  a  detachment  of  the  regiment,  off  the  bar  of 
Augustine,  to  demand  the  prisoners,  and  restrain 
the  privateers." 


SPANISH  HOSTILE   DESIGNS.  249 

In  the  early  part  of  the  year  1742,  the  Spaniards 
formed  a  design  upon  Georgia,  on  which,  from  the 
time  of  its  settlement,  they  had  looked  with  a  jealous 
eye.^  For  this  end,  in  May,  they  fitted  out  an  arma- 
ment at  Havanna,  consisting  of  fifty-six  sail,  and 
seven  or  eight  thousand  men  ;  but  the  fleet,  being 
dispersed  by  a  storm,  did  not  all  arrive  at  St.  Au- 
gustine, the  place  of  their  destination.  Don  Manuel 
de  Monteano,  Governor  of  that  fortress,  and  of 
the  town  and  region  it  protected,  had  the  command 
of  the  expedition. 

About  the  end  of  May,  or  beginning  of  June, 
the  schooner,  which  had  been  sent  out  on  a  cruise 
by  General  Oglethorpe,  returned  with  the  informa- 
tion that  there  were  two  Spanish  men  of  war,  with 
twenty  guns  each,  besides  two  very  large  privateers, 
and  a  great  number  of  small  vessels,  full  of  troops, 
lying  at  anchor  off  the  bar  of  St.  Augustine.  This 
intelligence  was  soon  after  confirmed  by  Captain 
Haymer,  of  the  Flamborough  man  of  war,  who  had 
fallen  in  with  part  of  the  Spanish  fleet  on  the  coast 
of  Florida,  and  drove  some  vessels  on  shore. 

Having  been  apprized  of  this,  the  General,  appre- 
hending that  the  Spaniards  had  in  view  some  formi- 
dable expedition  against  Georgia  or  Carolina,  or 


Appendix,  No.  XXV. 
32 


250  ATTEMPT  ON  AMELIA  ISLAND. 

perhaps  both,  wrote  to  the  Commander  of  his 
Majesty's  ships,  in  the  harbor  of  Charlestown, 
urging  him  to  come  to  his  assistance.  Lieutenant 
Maxwell,  the  bearer,  arrived  and  delivered  the  letter 
on  the  12th  of  June.  Directly  afterwards  he  sent 
Lieutenant  Mackay  to  Governor  Glenn,  of  South 
Carolina,  requesting  his  military  aid  with  all  expe- 
dition ;  and  this  despatch  reached  him  on  the  20th. 
He  then  laid  an  embargo  upon  all  the  shipping  in 
Georgia  ;  and  sent  messages  to  his  faithful  Indian 
allies,  who  gathered  to  his  assistance  with  all  readi- 
ness. 

And  now  the  design  of  the  Spaniards  was  man- 
ifest. On  the  21st  of  June  the  fleet  appeared  on 
the  coast ;  and  nine  sail  of  vessels  made  an  attempt 
on  Amelia  Island,  but  were  so  warmly  received  by 
the  cannon  from  Fort  William,  and  the  guard- 
schooner  of  fourteen  guns  and  ninety  men,  com- 
manded by  Captain  Dunbar,  that  they  sheered  off. 
When  the  General  was  informed  of  this  attack,  he 
resolved  to  support  the  fortifications  on  Cumber- 
land Island ;  and  set  out  with  a  detachment  of  the 
regiment  in  three  boats ;  but  was  obliged  to  make 
his  way  through  fourteen  sail  of  vessels.  This 
was  very  venturesome,  and,  indeed,  was  considered 
as  presumptuously  hazardous.  For,  had  a  shot  from 
one  of  the  galleys  struck  the  boat  in  which  he  was, 


AID  SOUGHT  FROM   SOUTH   CAROLINA.       251 

SO  as  to  disable  or  sink  it,  or  had  he  been  overtaken 
by  a  gun-boat  from  the  enemy,  the  colonial  forces 
would  have  become  the  weakly  resisting  victims  of 
Spanish  exasperated  revenge.  But  by  keeping  to 
the  leeward,  and  thus  taking  advantage  of  the 
smoke,  he  escaped  the  firing  and  arrived  in  safety. 

After  having  withdrawn  the  command  from  St. 
Andrews,  and  removed  the  stores  and  artillery  that 
were  there,  and  reinforced  Fort  William,^  where  he 
left  one  of  the  boats,  he  returned  to  St.  Simons. 

He  now  sent  another  express  to  the  Governor  of 
South  Carolina,  by  Mr.  Malryne,  informing  him  of 
his  situation,  and  urging  the  necessity  of  a  rein- 
forcement. This  application  was  not  promptly 
complied  with,  in  consequence  of  an  unfortunate 
prejudice  arising  from  the  failure  of  his  attempt 
upon  St.  Augustine.  But  as  Georgia  had  been  a 
great  barrier  against  the  Spaniards,  whose  conquest 
of  it  would  be  hazardous  to  the  peace  and  prosper- 
ity of  South  Carolina,  "  it  was  thought  expedient 
to  fit  out  some  vessels  to  cruise  dovi^n  the  coast,  and 
see  what  could  be  done  for  its  rehef."^ 

In  the  perilous  emergency  to  which  he  was  re- 
duced, Oglethorpe  took,  for  the  King's  service,  the 

'  These  two  Forts  were  on  Cumberland  Island. 
'  Williams's  History  of  Florida,  p.  185. 


252  SPANISH  FLEET  APPROACH. 

merchant  ship  of  twenty  guns,  called  the  Success, — 
a  name  of  auspicious  omen,  —  commanded  by  Cap- 
tain Thompson,  and  manned  it  from  the  small  ves- 
sels which  were  of  no  force.  He  also  called  in  the 
Highland  company  from  Darien,  commanded  by 
Captain  Mcintosh  ;  the  company  of  rangers  ;  and 
Captain  Carr's  company  of  marines. 

On  the  28th  of  June  the  Spanish  fleet  appeared 
off  the  bar  below  St.  Simons  ;  but  from  their  pre- 
caution for  taking  the  soundings  and  ascertaining 
the  channel,  was  delayed  coming  in,  or  landing  any 
of  the  troops,  for  several  days  ;  in  which  time 
"  the  General  raised  another  troop  of  rangers ;  and, 
by  rewarding  those  who  did  extraordinary  duty, 
and  offering  advancement  to  such  as  should  signal- 
ize themselves  on  this  occasion,  he  kept  up  the 
spirits  of  the  people,  and  increased  the  number  of 
enlistments."  '  He  was  placed,  indeed,  in  a  most 
critical  situation  ;  but  he  bore  himself  with  great 
presence  of  mind,  and  summoned  to  the  emergency 
a  resolution  which  difficulties  could  not  shake,  and 
brought  into  exercise  energies  which  gathered  vigor 
from  hindrance,  and  rendered  him  insensible  to  fa- 
tigue, and  unappalled  by  danger.  This  self-col- 
lected and  firm  state  of  mind,  made  apparent  in 

'  The  passages  distinguished  by  inverted  commas,  without  direct 
marginal  reference,  are  from  the  official  account. 


OGLETHORPE'S  ARRANGEMENTS.  253 

his  deportment  and  measures,  produced  a  corres- 
ponding intrepidity  in  all  around  him  ;  inspired 
them  with  confidence  in  their  leader  ;  and  roused 
the  determined  purpose  with  united  efforts  to  repel 
their  invaders. 

At  this  critical  juncture,  his  own  services  were 
multiplied  and  arduous ;  for  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Cook,  who  was  Engineer,  having  gone  to  Charles- 
town,  on  his  way  to  London,^  the  General  was 
obliged  to  execute  that  office  himself,  sometimes 
on  ship-board,  and  sometimes  at  the  batteries.  He 
therefore  found  himself  under  the  necessity  of  as- 
signing the  command  to  some  one  on  station,  dur- 
ing his  occasional  absences  ;  and  accordingly  ap- 
pointed Major  Alexander  Heron  ;  raising  him  to 
the  rank  of  Lieutenant  Colonel. 

On  Monday,  the  5th  of  July,  with  a  leading  gale 
and  the  flood  of  tide,  a  Spanish  fleet  of  thirty-six 
sail,  consisting  of  three  ships  of  twenty  guns,  two 

'  We  shall  see,  in  the  sequel,  that  the  absence  of  this  officer, 
whatever  its  pretence,  was  with  treacherous  purpose,  as  may  be 
surmised  by  the  following  extract  from  a  letter  to  the  Duke  of  New- 
castle, dated  30th  of  July,  1741;  where,  mentioning  the  despatches 
sent  to  Governor  Glen,  earnestly  requesting  some  military  aid,  the 
General  informs  his  Grace  that  "  Lieutenant  Colonel  Cook,  who 
was  engineer,  and  was  then  at  Charlestown,  hastened  away  to 
England ;  and  his  son-in-law,  Ensign  Erye,  sub-engineer,  was  also 
in  Charlestown,  and  did  not  arrive  here  till  the  action  was  over ; 
so,  for  want  of  help,  I  was  obliged  to  do  the  duty  of  an  engineer." 


254      SPANISH  FLEET  ENTER  THE   HARBOR. 

large  snows,  three  schooners,  four  sloops,  and  the 
rest  half-galleys,  with  landsmen  on  board,  entered 
the  harbor  ;  and,  after  exchanging  a  brisk  fire  with 
the  fort,  for  four  hours,  passed  all  the  batteries  and 
shipping,  proceeded  up  the  river.  The  same  even- 
ing the  forces  were  landed  upon  the  island,  a  little 
below  Gascoigne's  plantation.  A  red  flag  was 
hoisted  on  the  mizzen-top  of  the  Admiral's  ship, 
and  a  battery  was  erected  on  the  shore,  in  which 
were  planted  twenty  eighteen- pounders.  On  this, 
the  General,  having  done  all  he  could  to  annoy  the 
enemy,  and  prevent  their  landing,  and  finding  that 
the  Fort  at  St.  Simons  had  become  indefensible, 
held  a  council  of  war  at  the  head  of  his  regiment ; 
and  it  was  the  opinion  of  the  whole  that  the  fort 
should  be  dismantled,  the  guns  spiked  up,  the  co- 
horns  burst,  and  that  the  troops  there  stationed 
should  immediately  repair  to  Frederica,  for  its  de- 
fence. He  accordingly  gave  orders  for  them  to 
march,  and  sent  for  all  the  troops  that  were  on 
board  the  vessels  to  come  on  shore. 

As  his  only  measures  must  be  on  the  defensive, 
"  he  sent  scouting  parties  in  every  direction  to 
watch  the  motions  of  the  enemy  ;  while  the  main 
body  were  employed  in  ^working  at  the  fortifica- 
tions, making  them  as  strong  as  circumstances 
would  admit." ' 

'  McCall,  I.  179. 


HOSTILE  ATTEMPTS  OF  THE   SPANIARDS.    255 

The  Creek  Indians  brought  in  five  Spanish  pris- 
oners, from  whom  was  obtained  information  that 
Don  Manuel  de  Monteano,  the  Governor  of  St. 
Augustine,  commanded  in  chief;  that  Adjutant 
General  Antonio  de  Rodondo,  chief  engineer,  and 
two  brigades,  came  with  the  forces  from  Cuba;  and 
that  their  whole  number  amounted  to  about  five 
thousand  men. 

Detachments  of  the  Spaniards  made  several  at- 
tempts to  pierce  through  the  woods,  with  a  view  to 
attack  the  fort ;  but  were  repulsed  by  lurking  In- 
dians. The  only  access  to  the  town  was  what  had 
been  cut  through  a  dense  oak  wood,  and  then  led 
on  the  skirt  of  the  forest  along  the  border  of  the 
eastern  marsh  that  bounded  the  island  eastward. 
This  was  a  defile  so  narrow,  that  the  enemy  could 
take  no  cannon  with  them,  nor  baggage,  and  could 
only  proceed  two  abreast.  Moreover,  the  Spanish 
battalions  met  with  such  obstruction  from  the  deep 
morasses  on  one  side,  and  the  dark  and  tangled 
thickets  on  the  other,  and  such  opposition  from  the 
Indians  and  ambushed  Highlanders,  that  every 
effort  failed,  with  considerable  loss. 

On  the  morning  of  the  7th  of  July,  Captain 
Noble  Jones,  with  a  small  detachment  of  regulars 
and  Indians,  being  on  a  scouting  party,  fell  in  with 
a  number  of  Spaniards,  who  had  been  sent  to  recon- 


256  MAIN  ARMY  ON  THE  MARCH. 

noitre  the  route,  and  see  if  the  way  was  clear,  sur- 
prised and  made  prisoners  of  them.  From  these, 
information  was  received  that  the  main  army  was 
on  the  march.  This  intelligence  was  immediately 
communicated,  by  an  Indian  runner,  to  the  General, 
who  detached  Captain  Dunbar  with  a  company 
of  grenadiers,  to  Join  the  regulars ;  with  orders  to 
harass  the  enemy  on  their  way.  Perceiving  that 
the  most  vigorous  resistance  was  called  for,  with  his 
usual  promptitude  he  took  with  him  the  Highland 
company,  then  under  arms,  and  the  Indians,  and 
ordered  four  platoons  of  the  regiment  to  follow. 
They  came  up  with  the  vanguard  of  the  enemy 
about  two  miles  from  the  town,  as  they  entered  the 
savannah,  and  attacked  them  so  briskly  that  they 
were  soon  defeated,  and  most  of  their  party,  which 
consisted  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  of  their  best 
woodsmen  and  forty  Florida  Indians  were  killed  or 
taken  prisoners.  The  General  took  two  prisoners 
with  his  own  hands  ;  and  Lieutenant  Scroggs,  of 
the  rangers,  took  Captain  Sebastian  Sachio,  who 
commanded  the  party.  During  the  action  Toona- 
faowi,  the  nephew  of  Tomo  Chichi,  who  had  com- 
mand of  one  hundred  Indians,  was  shot  through 
the  right  arm  by  Captain  Mageleto,  which,  so  far 
from  dismaying  the  young  warrior,  only  fired  his 
revenge.    He  ran  up  to  the  Captain,  drew  his  pistol 


TROOPS   IN  AMBUSCADE.  257 

with  his  left  hand,  shot  him  through  the  head,  and, . 
leaving  him  dead  on  the  spot,  returned  to  his  com- 
pany." 

The  General  pursued  the  fugitives  more  than  a 
mile,  and  then  halted  on  an  advantageous  piece  of 
ground,  for  the  rest  of  the  troops  to  come  up,  when 
he  posted  them,  with  the  Highlanders,  in  a  wood 
fronting  the  road  through  the  plain  by  which  the 
main  body  of  the  Spaniards,  who  were  advancing, 
must  necessarily  pass.  After  which  he  returned, 
with  all  speed,  to  Frederica,  and  ordered  the  rangers 
and  boat-men  to  make  ready,  and  all  to  use  their 
utmost  endeavors  to  resist  the  invaders. 

During  his  temporary  absence  on  this  pressing 
emergency.  Captain  Antonio  Barba,  and  two  other 
Captains  with  one  hundred  grenadiers,  and  two 
hundred  foot,  besides  Indians  and  negroes,  advanced 
from  the  Spanish  camp  into  the  savannah  with 
drums  and  huzzas,  and  halted  within  an  hundred 
paces  of  the  position  where  the  troops  left  by  Ogle- 
thorpe lay  in  ambuscade.  They  immediately  stacked 
their  arms,  made  fires,  and  were  preparing  their 
kettles  for  cooking,  when  a  horse  observed  some  of 
the  concealed  party,  and,  frightened  at  the  uniform 
of  the  regulars,  began  to  snort.     This  gave   the 


'  Gentleman's  Magazine,  XII.  497. 
33 


258  SPANIARDS  REPULSED. 

alarm.  The  Spaniards  ran  to  their  arms,  but  were 
shot  down  in  great  numbers  by  their  invisible  assail- 
ants ;  and,  after  repeated  attempts  to  form,  in  which 
some  of  their  principal  officers  fell,  they  decamped 
with  the  utmost  precipitation,  leaving  the  camp 
equipage  on  the  field.  So  complete  was  the  sur- 
prise, that  many  fled  without  their  arms ;  others,  in 
a  rapid  retreat,  discharged  their  muskets  over  their 
shoulders  at  their  pursuers  ;  and  many  were  killed 
by  the  loaded  muskets  that  had  been  left  on  the 
ground.  Generally  the  Spaniards  fired  so  much  at 
random,  that  the  trees  were  pruned  by  the  balls 
from  their  muskets.^ 

The  General,  returning  with  all  expedition,  heard 
the  report  of  the  musketry,  and  rode  towards  it ; 
and,  near  two  miles  from  the  place  of  action,  met 
some  platoons,  who,  in  the  heat  of  the  fight,  the  air 
being  so  darkened  by  the  smoke  that  they  could 
not  see  where  to  direct  their  fire,  and  a  heavy 
shower  of  rain  falling,  had  retired  in  disorder.  He 
ordered  them  to  rally  and  follow  him,  apprehending 
that  immediate  relief  might  be  wanting.  He  arrived 
just  as  the  battle  ceased  ;  and  found  that  Lieutenant 
Sutherland,  with  his  platoon,  and  Lieutenant  Charles 
Mackay,  had  entirely  defeated  the  enemy. 

>  McC all's  History,  I.  185. 


BATTLE   OF  BLOODY  MARSH.  259 

In  this  action  Don  Antonio  de  Barba,  their  leader, 
was  made  a  prisoner,  but  mortally  wounded.  "  In 
both  actions,  the  Spaniards  lost  four  captains,  one 
Lieutenant,  two  sergeants,  two  drummers,  and  more 
than  an  hundred  and  fifty  privates.  One  captain, 
one  corporal,  and  twenty  men  were  taken  prisoners. 
The  rest  fled  to  the  woods,  where  many  of  them 
were  killed  by  the  Indians,  who  brought  in  their 
scalps." ' 

Captain  Demerey  and  ensign  Gibbon  being  ar- 
rived, with  the  men  they  had  rallied.  Lieutenant 
Cadogan  with  the  advanced  party  of  the  regiment, 
and  soon  after  the  whole  regiment,  Indians  and 
rangers,  the  General  marched  down  to  a  causeway 
over  a  marsh,  very  near  the  Spanish  camp,  over 
which  all  were  obliged  now  to  pass ;  and  thereby 
stopped  those  who  had  been  dispersed  in  the  fight, 
from  getting  back  to  the  Spanish  camp.  Having 
passed  the  night  there,  the  Indian  scouts  in  the 
morning  got  so  near  the  Spanish  place  of  encamp- 
ment, as  to  ascertain  that  they  had  all  retired  into 
the  ruins  of  the  fort,  and  were  making  intrench- 
ments  under  shelter  of  the  cannon  of  the  ships. 
Not  deeming  it  prudent  to  attack  them  while  thus 
defended,  he  marched  back  to  Frederica,  to  refresh 

^  From  the  great  slaughter,  the  scene  of  this  action  has  ever  since 
been  called  "  the  bloody  marsh." 


260  GALLEYS  APPROACH. 

the  soldiers  ;  and  sent  out  parties  of  Indians  and 
rangers  to  harass  the  enemy.  He  now,  at  a  general 
staff,  appointed  Lieutenant  Hugh  Mackay  and 
Lieutenant  Maxwell,  Aids  de  camp,  and  Lieutenant 
Sutherland,  Brigade  Major. 

While  signal  instances  of  heroism  were  thus 
honored,  he  warned  the  troops  of  the  necessity  of 
union  and  vigilance,  of  prompt  attention  to  orders, 
and  of  maintaining  an  unflinching  firmness  in  every 
emergency ;  for  in  these,  under  God,  depended 
their  safety. 

Although  he  thus  encouraged  others,  he  was 
himself  filled  with  perplexity.  He  began  to  despair 
of  any  help  from  Carolina.  His  provisions  were 
bad  and  scarce,  and,  while  the  enemy  commanded 
the  river  and  the  harbor,  no  supplies  could  be  ex- 
pected. Of  all  this,  however,  he  gave  no  intimation, 
but,  firm  and  self-possessed,  submitted  to  the  same 
fare  with  the  meanest  soldier,  exposed  himself  to 
as  great  fatigue,  and  often  underwent  greater  priva- 
tions. At  the  same  time  his  fixed  resolution  and 
irrepressible  zeal  in  the  defence  and  protection  of 
his  people,  nerved  him  to  further  and  even  greater 
exertions. 

On  the  11th  the  great  galley  and  two  small  ones, 
approached  within  gun-shot  of  the  town ;  but  they 
were  repulsed  by  guns  and  bombs  from  the  fort, 


SPANISH  PLOT.  261 

and  the  General  followed  them  in  his  cutter,  with 
attendant  boats,  well  manned,  till  he  got  under  the 
cannon  of  their  ships,  which  lay  in  the  sound. 

This  naval  approach,  as  appeared  afterwards,  was 
in  consequence  of  a  concerted  plot.  It  seems  that, 
at  the  commencement  of  the  siege  of  St.  Augustine, 
a  Spanish  officer  quitted  one  of  the  outer  forts  and 
surrendered  himself  to  Oglethorpe,  who  detained 
him  prisoner  of  war.  He  was  readily  communi- 
cative, and  gave  wliat  was  supposed  important  in- 
formation. After  the  close  of  the  war,  he  might 
have  been  exchanged  ;  but  he  chose  to  remain, 
pretending  that  the  Spaniards  looked  upon  him  as 
a  traitor.  He,  at  length,  so  artfully  insinuated 
himself  into  favor  with  the  magnanimous  Oglethorpe, 
that  he  was  treated  with  great  courtesy.  On  this 
invasion  he  begged  permission  to  retire  into  the 
northern  colonies  of  the  English,  saying  that  he 
apprehended  that  if  he  should  fall  into  the  hands  of 
the  Spaniards,  they  would  deal  rigorously  with  him. 
The  General,  not  being  aware  of  any  treacherous 
design,  gave  him  a  canoe  to  go  up  the  river  till  he 
was  out  of  danger ;  whence  he*  might  proceed  by 
land  to  some  back  settlement.  Some  days  past  and 
he  came  back  to  Frederica,  pretending  that  he  could 
not  make  his  way  through,  nor  by,  the  fleet  without 
being  discovered  and  captured.     Most  fortunately, 


262  SPANISH  SPY  DETECTED. 

some  days  after  his  return,  an  English  prisoner, 
who  had  escaped  from  one  of  the  ships  of  war, 
acquainted  the  General  with  the  treachery  of  this 
officer,  assuring  him  that  he  had  been  aboard  at 
such  a  time,  and  talked  over  his  insidious  project  of 
setting  fire  to  the  arsenal  which  contained  all  the 
powder  and  military  stores,  and  that  its  explosion 
should  be  the  signal  to  the  Spanish  galleys  to  ap- 
proach, and,  in  the  confusion  of  the  occasion,  make 
an  assault  upon  the  fort.  This  disclosure  confirmed 
suspicions  which  had  been  excited  by  some  of  his 
management  since  his  return ;  and  he  was  put 
under  guard.  In  consequence  of  this  precaution, 
the  concerted  signal  could  not  be  given ;  and  the 
ruinous  project  was  most  happily  defeated.^ 

July  12th,  two  English  prisoners  who  had  effect- 
ed an  escape,  one  from  the  fleet,  and  one  from  the 
camp,  informed  the  General  that  the  Spaniards,  not 
having  anticipated  such  vigorous  resistance,  had 
become  restless  and  dispirited,  especially  since  they 
had  ascertained  by  their  roll  how  great  was  their 
loss  of  men ;  and  that  the  state  of  the  wounded 
was  distressing.  They  added  that  these  discom- 
fitures were  increased  by  the  want  of  water  on 
board  the  ships,  which  was  so  great  that  the  troops 

1  Urlspurger,  IV,  p.  1260. 


STATE   OF  THE   SPANISH  CAMP.  263 

were  put  upon  half  allowance,  which,  in  this  hot 
weather  was  a  grievous  deprivation,  and  that  seve- 
ral, from  the  effect  of  the  climate,  were  sick  and 
unfit  for  service.  They  apprized  him,  also,  that 
they  had  holden  a  council  of  war,  in  which  there 
were  great  divisions,  insomuch  that  the  troops  of 
Cuba  separated  from  those  of  Augustine,  and  en- 
camped at  a  distance  near  the  woods. 

This  latter  circumstance  suggested  the  idea  of 
attacking  them  while  divided ;  and  his  perfect 
knowledge  of  the  woods  favored  the  project  of  sur- 
prising one  of  their  encampments.  In  furtherance 
of  this  design,  he  drew  out  three  hundred  regular 
troops,  the  Highland  company,  the  rangers,  and  In- 
dians, and  marched  in  the  night,  unobserved  within 
a  mile  and  a  half  of  the  Spanish  camp.  There 
his  troops  halted,  and  he  advanced  at  the  head  of 
a  select  corps  to  reconnoitre  the  enemy.  While  he 
was  using  the  utmost  circumspection  to  obtain  the 
necessary  information  without  being  discovered,  an 
occurrence  of  the  most  villanous  nature,  discon- 
certed the  project.  As  the  particulars  of  this  have 
been  variously  narrated,  I  am  happy  in  b^ng  en- 
abled to  give  the  General's  own  account  of  the 
affair.^     In  his  official  despatch  to  the   Duke    of 

*  Transcribed  from  the  Georgia  Historical  documents,  by  my  ex- 


264     INSIDIOUS   CONDUCT  OF  A  FRENCHMAN. 

Newcastle,  dat(3d  at  Frederica,  in  Georgia,  30th  of 
July,  1742,  he  sajs, — "  A  Frenchman  who,  with- 
out my  knowledge  was  come  down  among  the  vol- 
unteers, fired  his  gun,  and  deserted.  Our  Indians 
in  vain  pursued,  but  could  not  take  him.  Upon 
this,  concluding  that  we  should  be  discovered,  1 
divided  the  drums  into  different  parts,  and  they 
beat  the  Grenadier's  march  for  about  half  an  hour; 
then  ceased,  and  we  marched  back  in  silence.  The 
next  day  I  prevailed  with  a  prisoner,  and  gave  him 
a  sum  of  money  to  carry  a  letter  privately,  and  de- 
liver it  to  that  Frenchman  who  had  deserted.  This 
letter  was  written  in  French,  as  if  from  a  friend  of 
his,  telling  him  he  had  received  the  money ;  that  he 
should  try  to  make  the  Spaniards  believe  the  Eng- 
lish were  weak ;  that  he  should  undertake  to  pilot 
up  their  boats  and  galleys,  and  then  bring  them 
under  the  woods,  where  he  knew  the  hidden  bat- 
teries were  ;  that  if  he   could  bring  that  about  he 

cellent  friend  T.  K.  Tefft,  Esq.,  of  Savannah.  The  particu- 
lars of  this  singularly  interesting  ruse  de  guerre  are  detailed 
in  all  the  accounts  of  the  Spanish  invasion ;  and  in  each  with 
some  variation,  and  in  all  rather  more  circumstantially  than 
the  above.  See  Gentleman's  Magazine  for  1742,  p.  695;  London 
Magazine  for  1758,  p.  80 ;  Hewatt's  History  of  South  Carolina, 
Vol.  II.  p.  117;  McCall's  History  of  Georgia,  I.  p.  184;  Ramsay's 
History  of  the  United  Slates,  I.  167,  and  Marshall's  History  of  the 
Colonies,  p.  289. 


RESULT  OF   THE   PLOT.  265 

should  have  double  the  reward  he  had  already  re- 
ceived ;  and  thai  the  French  deserters  should  have 
all  that  had  been  promised  to  them.  The  Spanish 
prisoner  got  into  their  camp,  and  was  immediately 
carried  before  the  General,  Don  Manuel  de  Mon- 
teano.  He  was  asked  how  he  escaped,  and  whether 
he  had  any  letters ;  but  denying  he  had  any,  was 
strictly  searched,  and  the  letter  found,  and  he,  upon 
being  pardoned,  confessed  that  he  had  received 
money  to  deliv^er  it  to  the  Frenchman,  (for  the  let- 
ter was  not  directed.)  The  Frenchman  denied  his 
knowing  any  thing  of  the  contents  of  the  letter,  or 
having  received  any  money,  or  correspondence  with 
me.  Notwithstanding  which,  a  council  of  war 
was  held,  and  they  decreed  the  Frenchman  to  be  a 
double  spy ;  but  General  Monteano  would  not  suf- 
fer him  to  be  executed,  having  been  employed  by 
him.  However  they  embarked  all  their  troops  with 
such  precipitation  that  they  left  behind  their  can- 
non, &c.,  and  those  dead  of  their  wounds,  un- 
buried." 

The  Spanish  General  now  deemed  it  expedient 
to  relinquish  a  plan  of  conquest  attended  with  so 
many  difficulties,  and  the  further  prosecution  of 
which  would  put  to  hazard  the  loss  of  both  army 
and  fleet,  and  perhaps  of  the  whole  Province  of 
Florida. 

34 


266  SPANISH  FORCES  WITHDRAW. 

"  On  the  14th  of  July  the  Spaniards  burned  all 
the  works  and  houses  on  the  south  end  of  St.  Si- 
mons and  Jekyl  islands. 

"On  the  15th  the  large  vessels,  with  the  Cuba 
forces  on  board,  stood  out  to  sea  ;  and  the  Gov- 
ernor and  troops  from  St.  Augustine  embarked  in 
the  galleys  and  small  vessels,  and  took  the  inland 
passage,  and  encamped  on  the  north  end  of  Cum- 
berland island,  at  Fort  St.  Andrews. 

"  The  next  day  the  General  pursued  the  enemy, 
and,  landuig  where  they  had  encamped,  sent  an 
express  in  the  night  to  Ensign  Alexander  Stewart, 
who  commanded  at  Fort  William,  directing  him,  in 
case  of  an  attack,  to  defend  the  place  to  the  last 
extremity ;  and  that  he  would  reinforce  him  early 
the  next  day.  At  day-light  twenty-eight  sail  of 
the  Spanish  line  appeared  off  Fort  William,  four- 
teen of  which  came  into  the  harbor,  and  demanded 
a  surrender  of  the  garrison.  Stewart  replied  that 
it  should  not  be  surrendered,  and  could  not  be 
taken.  They  attacked  the  works  from  their  gal- 
leys and  other  vessels,  and  attempted  to  land  ;  but 
were  repulsed  by  a  party  of  rangers,  who  had  ar- 
rived by  a  forced  march  down  the  island.  Stewart, 
with  only  sixty  men,  defended  the  fort  with  such 
bravery,  that,  after  an  assault  of  three  hours,  the 
enemy  discovering  the  approach  of  Oglethorpe,  put 


OGLETHORPE   PURSUES    THE   SPANISH.       267 

to  sea,  with  considerable  loss.  Two  galleys  were 
disabled  and  abandoned ;  and  the  Governor  of  St. 
Augustine  proceeded  with  his  troops  by  the  inward 
passage.  Ensign  Stewart  was  rewarded,  by  pro- 
motion, for  the  bravery  of  his  defence."  * 

"  On  the  20th,  General  Oglethorpe  sent  his 
boats  and  rangers  as  far  as  the  river  St.  John. 
They  returned  the  next  day  with  the  information 
that  the  enemy  were  quite  gone." 

A  few  days  after,  the  armed  ships  from  South 
Carolina  came  to  St.  Simons;  but  the  need  of 
them  was  then  over ;  and  even  of  the  British  men 
of  war  upon  the  American  station,  though  they  had 
a  month's  notice,  none  appeared  upon  the  coast  of 
Georgia  until  after  the  Spanish  troops  were  all  em- 
barked, and  their  fleet  was  upon  its  return  to  Ha- 
vana and  to  St.  Augustine. 

In  the  account  of  the  Spanish  invasion,  by  the 
Saltzburg  preachers  at  Ebenezer,  are  these  very 
just  reflections  :  "  Cheering  was  the  intelligence 
that  the  Spaniards,  with  all  their  ships  of  war  and 
numerous  military  force,  had  raised  the  siege  in 
shame  and  disgrace,  and  retired  to  Augustine  ! 
Doubtless  they  feared  lest  English  ships  of  war 
should  approach  and  draw  them  into  a  naval  com- 

•  McCall,  Vol.  T.  p.  18S. 


268  THANKSGIVING  APPOINTED. 

bat,  for  which  thej  could  have  no  desire.  Nay, 
they  feared,  no  doubt,  that  their  own  Augustine 
would  suffer  from  it." 

Devoutly  acknowledging  the  protecting  and  fa- 
voring providence  of  God  in  this  wonderful  deliver- 
ance from  a  most  formidable  invading  foe,  General 
Oglethorpe  appointed  a  day  of  Thanksgiving  to  be 
observed  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  Colony.^ 

Thus  was  the  Province  of  Georgia  delivered, 
when  brought  to  the  very  brink  of  destruction  by  a 
formidable  enemy.  Don  Manuel  de  Monteano  had 
been  fifteen  days  on  the  small  island  of  St.  Simons, 
without  gaining  the  least  advantage  over  a  handful 
of  men ;  and,  in  the  several  skirmishes,  had  lost  a 
considerable  number  of  his  best  troops,  while  Ogle- 
thorpe's loss  was  very  inconsiderable.^ 

The  writer  of  a  letter  from  Charlestown,  South 
Carolina,  has  this  remark ;  "  that  nearly  five  thou- 
sand men,  under  the  command  of  so  good  an  officer 
as  the  Governor  of  St.  Augustine,  should  fly  be- 
fore six  or  seven  hundred  men,  and  about  one  hun- 
dred Indians,  is  matter  of  astonishment  to  all."^ 


»  Appendix,  No.  XXVI. 
«  McCall,  I.  188. 

^  Gentleman's  Magazine  for  1742,  p.  695.     See  also  Appendix, 
No.  XXVII.  for  an  account  of  the  forces. 


DELIVERANCE  OF  GEORGIA.  269 

The  Rev.  Mr.  White  field,  in  a  letter  to  a  noble 
Lord,  says,  "  The  deliverance  of  Georgia  from  the 
Spaniards,  one  of  my  friends  writes  me,  is  such  as 
cannot  be  paralleled  but  by  some  instances  out  of 
the  Old  Testament.  I  find  that  the  Spaniards  had 
cast  lots,  and  determined  to  give  no  quarter.  They 
intended  to  have  attacked  Carolina,  but,  wanting 
water,  they  put  into  Georgia,  and  so  would  take 
that  Colony  on  their  way.  But  the  race  is  not 
to  the  swift,  nor  the  battle  to  the  strong.  Provi- 
dence ruleth  all  things.  They  were  wonderfully 
repelled  and  sent  away  before  our  ships  were 
seen."  ^  "  A  little  band  chased  a  thousand  ;  and  a 
small  one  overcome  a  large  people." 

The  writer  of  the  History  of  the  rise,  progress, 
and  settlement  of  the  Colony  of  Georgia,  so  often 
quoted  in  this  chapter,  closes  his  account  of  this 
invasion  with  the  following  remark  :  "  Instead  of 
raising  and  heightening  their  success,  to  do  honor 
to  the  General's  character ;  we  ought  rather  to 
lessen  or  diminish  some  of  the  circumstances,  to 
render  it,  in  such  an  age  as  this,  more  credible. 
But  we  have  taken  no  liberties  at  all.  The  facts 
are  represented,  step  by  step,  as  they  happened  ; 
and  the  reader  left  to  make  his  own  inferences,  es- 
timate, and  opinion."^ 

•  Letters,  V.  I.  let.  CCCCLXXXIX.  p.  467. 
'  Harris's  Voyages^  II.  345. 


270  LETTERS   OF  CONGRATULATION. 

The  Governors  of  New  York,  New  Jersey, 
Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  Virginia  and  North  Car- 
olina, addressed  letters  to  Oglethorpe,  "  congratu- 
lating him  upon  the  important  services  rendered  to 
the  Colonies ;  and  assuring  him  of  the  interest 
which  they  felt  in  the  honor  he  had  acquired  by  his 
indefatigable  exertions,  constant  exposure,  extraor- 
dinary courage,  and  unequalled  military  conduct ; 
and  offering  their  humble  thanks  to  the  Supreme 
Governor  of  nations  for  placing  the  fate  of  the 
Southern  Colonies  under  the  direction  of  a  General 
so  well  qualified  for  the  important  trust."  ^ 

'  For  some  of  ihe  letters  see  the  work  last  quoted. 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

Oglethorpe,  informed  that  the  Spaniards  were  making  preparations 
for  a  renewal  of  hostilities,  takes  measures  to  repel  them  —  Meets 
with  an  alarming  accident  —  Lands  on  the  Florida  side  of  St. 
John's  —  Proceeds  towards  St.  Augustine  —  The  Spanish  do  not 
venture  out  to  attack  him  —  Returns  to  the  Islands —  Sees  that 
the  Forts  are  repaired  —  Takes  passage  to  England  to  attend  a 
Court  Martial  on  an  insidious  charge  against  him  by  Lieutenant 
Cook  —  Is  honorably  acquitted,  and  Cook  is  dismissed  from  the 
service. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  year  1743,  General  Ogle- 
thorpe, having  had  information  that  the  Spaniards 
of  St.  Augustine  were  making  preparations  for 
another  invasion  of  Georgia,^  took  measures  to 
repel  it ;  and  set  out,  at  the  head  of  a  force  con- 
sisting of  a  company  of  grenadiers,  a  detachment 
of  his  own  regiment,  the  Highlanders,  and  the 
Georgia  rangers,  and  a  numerous  collection  of 
Indians. 

'  "  They  were  so  apprehensive  of  this  at  South  Carolina,  that 
the  fortifications  of  Charlestown  were  repaired  and  augmented." 
Boyse's  Historical  Review,  Vol.4,  p.  381. 


272  OGLETHORPE'S  DESCENT  UPON  FLORIDA. 

He  came  very  near  being  killed  in  his  shallop, 
while  sailing  to  reconnoitre  St.  Augustine  ;  but 
Providence  averted  the  fatality  of  the  blow  which 
he  received.  One  of  his  cannon  burst,  and  a  piece 
of  a  sail-yard  struck  the  head  of  the  General,  and 
so  wounded  him  that  the  blood  gushed  from  his 
ears  and  nose.  The  injury,  happily,  was  not  so 
great  but  that  he  soon  collected  himself,  and  cheered 
up  his  alarmed  attendants.^ 

On  the  6th  of  March  he  landed  on  the  Florida 
side  of  St.  John's  river,  and  attacked  a  much  more 
numerous  party  of  the  Spanish  troops  than  that 
under  his  command,  quartered  at  Fort  Diego,  forty 
of  whom  were  killed  in  the  engagement  and  pur- 
suit, and  the  rest  made  their  escape  into  the  castle. 

After  this  he  proceeded  to  the  neighborhood  of 
St.  Augustine  ;  and,  having  placed  the  greatest  part 
of  his  troops  in  ambuscade,  marched  with  the  rest 
almost  to  the  walls  of  the  fortress,  in  hopes  that 
the  Spaniards,  upon  seeing  so  small  a  party,  would 
have  sallied  out  to  have  engaged  it,  m  which  case 
he  was  resolved  to  have  made  a  retreating  fight,  in 
order  to  draw  the  enemy  into  the  ambush  which  he 
had  prepared  for  them.  But,  it  seems,  that  by  acci- 
dent they  discovered  the  concealment  of  the  troops, 

1  Urlsptjrger,  IV.  2073. 


OGLETHORPE  GOES  TO  ENGLAND.  273 

and  deemed  it  prudent  to  remain  in  their  strong- 
hold. This  stratagem  having  been  frustrated, 
Oglethorpe,  perceiving  that  an  assault  would  be 
unavailing,  marched  back  to  the  river,  where  he 
continued  for  some  time,  expecting  that  the  enemy 
would  come  out,  and  endeavor  to  drive  him  from 
their  territory,  but,  as  they  made  not  the  attempt, 
and  as  the  affairs  of  the  Colony  as  well  as  his  own, 
required  his  presence  in  England,  he  returned,  to 
make  arrangements  for  going  thither. 

Having  seen  that  the  fortifications  on  St.  Simons 
and  the  other  islands  were  repaired  and  greatly  im- 
proved, Oglethorpe  took  passage  on  the  23d  of  July, 
1743,  in  the  guard-ship  commanded  by  Captain 
Thompson,  having  with  him  Colonel  Heron,  Mr. 
Eyre,  sub-engineer,  and  several  others  belonging  to 
the  regiment,  and  arrived  in  London  on  the  25th 
of  September,  where  his  personal  presence  was 
required  to  meet  and  answer  an  impeachment 
lodged  against  him  in  the  War-office  by  Lieutenant 
Colonel  William  Cook.  As  soon  as  Oglethorpe 
arrived,  he  insisted  that  the  allegations  should  be 
examined  by  a  board  of  General  Officers  ;  but,  as 
Cook  gave  in  a  list  of  several  persons  in  Georgia 
and  some  in  South  Carolina,  who,  he  said,  were 
material  witnesses,  no  investigation  could  be  had 
till  they  should  be  heard.     In  consequence  of  this, 

35 


274  COURT  MARTIAL. 

and  other  delays,  the  Court  Martial  was  not  opened 
till  the  4th  of  June,  1744.  It  continued  two  days 
in  session  ;  when,  after  a  strict  scrutiny  into  the 
complaint,  article  by  article  of  the  nineteen  specific 
charges,  the  board  were  of  opinion  that  "  the  whole 
and  every  article  thereof  was  groundless,  false,  and 
malicious."  On  the  presentation  of  the  Report  to 
his  Majesty  he  was  pleased  to  order  that  the  said 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Cook  should  be  dismissed  the 
service. 

This  indictment  by  one  who  had  been  treated 
with  great  kindness,  and  who  owed  his  preferment 
to  the  rank  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  to  the  particular 
favor  of  the  General,  was  not  only  ungrateful,  but 
insidious  and  base. 

The  faithful  Annalist  of  America,  the  Reverend 
Doctor  Holmes,  closes  his  reference  to  this  transac- 
tion with  this  just  and  honorable  reflection  :  "  By 
the  decision  of  this  board,  the  character  of  this  able 
General  now  appeared  in  resplendent  light ;  and 
his  contemporaries  acknowledged,  what  impartial 
history  must  record,  that  to  him  Carolina  was  in- 
debted for  her  safety  and  repose,  as  well  as  Georgia 
for  existence  and  protection."  ^ 

And  here  closes  the  history  of  the  settlement  of 

'  American  Annals,  II.  19. 


CLOSE  OF  THE   SETTLEMENT.  275 

Georgia  ;  in  a  great  degree  the  project  and  the 
furtherance  of  one  man,  who  must  be  allowed  to 
possess  the  foremost  rank  among  those,  who,  by 
well-concerted  plans,  and  judicious  and  persevering 
measures  for  their  accomplishment,  have  high  claims 
on  public  gratitude,  as  warm  and  devoted  patriots, 
and  enlightened  philanthropists.  Embracing  in 
one  comprehensive  view  the  effectual  relief  of  the 
reduced  or  neglected,  the  planting  of  a  Colony,  and 
the  promotion  of  its  progressive  improvement  and 
welfare,  it  is  the  appropriate  praise  of  the  founder 
of  Georgia,  that,  with  a  sagacity  and  foresight 
which  are  never  sufficiently  to  be  admired,  a  zeal 
and  fortitude  never  exceeded,  and  a  devotedness  to 
the  object  which  never  relaxed,  he  commenced  and 
carried  on  the  arduous  enterprise. 

In  "  An  account,  showing  the  progress  of  the 
Colony  of  Georgia  in  America  from  its  first  estab- 
lishment ;  published  by  order  of  the  Honorable  the 
Trustees,"  London,  1741,  is  the  following  eulogy 
of  Oglethorpe,  made  by  those  who  best  knew  how 
truly  it  was  deserved. 

"  A  Gentleman  who  may  be  justly  termed  the 
Romulus,  father  and  founder  of  Georgia;  a  gentle- 
man who,  without  any  view  but  that  of  enlarging 
his  Majesty's  dominions,  propagating  the  Protestant 
religion,  promoting  the  trade  of  his  country,  and 


276  EULOGY  ON   OGLETHORPE. 

providing  for  the  wants  and  necessities  of  indigent 
christians,  has  voluntarily  banished  himself  from  the 
pleasures  of  a  Court,  and  exposed  himself  repeatedly 
to  the  dangers  of  the  vast  Atlantic  ocean  in  several 
perilous  and  tedious  voyages ;  instead  of  allowing 
himself  the  satisfaction  which  a  plentiful  fortune, 
powerful  friends,  and  great  merit  entitle  him  to  in 
England,  has  inured  himself  to  the  greatest  hard- 
ships that  any  the  meanest  inhabitant  of  this  new 
Colony  could  be  exposed  to ;  his  diet  has  been 
mouldy  bread,  or  boiled  rice  instead  of  bread,  salt 
beef,  pork,  &;c.,  his  drink  has  been  water ;  and  his 
bed  the  damp  earth,  without  any  other  covering 
than  the  canopy  of  heaven  to  shelter  him  :  and  all 
this  to  set  an  example  to  this  new  Colony  how  they 
might  bear  with  such  hardships  in  their  new  settle- 
ment." 

A  recent  publication  bestows  also  a  tribute  of 
commendation,  in  the  following  terms  :  "  As  gov- 
ernor of  the  new  Colony,  he  was  exposed  to  num- 
berless difficulties  and  vexations  ;  but  persevered 
with  great  ardor  in  the  scheme,  and  expended  large 
sums  out  of  his  private  fortune  with  a  view  to 
ensure  its  success."  ^ 

'  Georgian  JEra  ;  or  Memoirs  of  the  most  eminent  persons  who 
have  flourished  in  Great  Britain  from  the  accession  of  George  I.  to 
the  death  of  George  IV.     Lend.  1834.     4  vol.     Vol.  H.  p.  43. 


COMMENDATORY  VERSES.  277 

I  give,  also,  an  extract  from  "  lines  to  General 
Oglethorpe,  on  the  settlement  of  Georgia,"  pub- 
lished in  the  South  Carolina  Gazette,  June,  1733. 

"The  fame  of  Tyrants  should,  if  justice  swayed, 
Be  howled  through  deserts  their  ambition  made; 
But  Oglethorpe  has  gained  a  well-earned  praise, 
Who  made  the  heirs  of  want,  the  lords  of  ease : 
The  gloomy  wood  to  plenteous  harvests  changed, 
And  founded  cities  where  the  wild  beasts  ranged. 
Then  may  the  great  reward  assigned  by  fate 
Crown  his  own  wish  to  see  the  work  complete  ! " 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

Oglethorpe's  residence  in  England  —  Marriage  —  Military  appoint- 
ments—  A  Major  General  under  the  Duke  of  Cumberland  for  the 
suppression  of  the  rebellion  in  1745  —  Arraigned  at  a  Court  Mar- 
tial and  acquitted  —  Domestic  and  social  life,  and  character  — 
Death. 

Having  accomplished  the  great  design  of  settling 
the  Colony  of  Georgia,  watched  over  its  nascent 
feebleness,  cherished  its  growth,  defended  it  from 
invasion,  vindicated  its  rights,  and  advanced  its  in- 
terests and  welfare,  Oglethorpe  resigned  the  super- 
intendence and  government  into  other  hands,  and 
retired  to  his  country  seat  at  Godalming,  "  to  rest 
under  the   shade  of  his  own  laurels." 

In  March,  1744,  he  was  appointed  one  of  the 
officers  under  Field  Marshal,  the  Earl  of  Stair,  to 
oppose  the  expected  invasion  from  France. 

Having  been  so  happy  as  to  form  a  tender  at- 
tachment to  an  amiable  lady,  which  was  recipro- 
cated, he  married,  on  the  15th  of  September,  1744, 


OGLETHORPE  MARRIED.  279 

Elizabeth,  the  only  daughter  of  Sir  Nathan  Wright, 
Baronet,  of  Cranham  Hall,  Essex.' 

His  chief  residence  was  at  his  country  seat ;  but 
he  spent  his  winters  in  the  venerable  family  man- 
sion in  St.  James,  Westminster,  London,  to  attend 
his  duties  as  member  of  Parliament  and  enjoy  the 
society  of  men  of  the  first  respectability  for  rank, 
talents,  and  literature. 

On  the  25th  of  March,  1745,  he  was  promoted 
to  the  rank  of  Major  General ;  and  the  Rebellion 
breaking  out  in  that  year,  he  was  placed  at  the 
head  of  four  companies  of  cavalry,  one  of  which 
bore  the  title  of  "  Georgia  Rangers."^  They  had 
been  raised  at  the  expense  of  some  loyal  individ- 
uals, to  act  against  the  insurgents  ;  "  and,"  (says 
an  Historian  who  had  the  best  authority  for  the  de- 
claration,) ^  "  they  did  very  signal  service  to  their 


'  On  this  occasion  some  congratulatory  verses  were  written  by 
the  Rev.  Moses  Brown,  and  printed  in  the  Gentleman's  Magazine, 
Vol.  XIV.  p.  558. 

•  Marshal  Wade,  the  Commander  in  Chief,  had  under  him  the 
following  officers,  viz.  :  Lieutenant  Generals  Lord  Tyrawly,  and 
Wentworth ;  the  Major  Generals  Howard,  Huske,  and  Oglethorpe  ; 
and  the  Brigadier  Generals  Mordaunt  and  Chemondelly. 

'  See  Impartial  History  of  the  Rebellion  in  1745,  from  authentic 
memoirs,  particularly  the  Journal  of  a  General  Officer,  and  other 
original  papers  ;  with  the  characters  of  the  persons  principally  con- 
cerned.    By  Samuel  Botse.  8vo.   Dublin.  1748.   p.  SO. 


280         FORCES  AGAINST  THE   PRETENDER. 

country."  Their  uniform  was  blue,  faced  with  red  ; 
and  they  wore  green  cockades.  They  did  not  en- 
camp with  the  foot,  but  were  quartered  in  the 
towns. 

As  this  expedition  was  commenced  late  in  the 
fall,  the  King's  troops  were  retarded  in  their  opera- 
tions by  the  rigor  of  the  season,  their  late  forced 
marches,  and  a  most  uncomfortable  diarrhoea,  which 
prevailed  among  the  soldiers  ;  but  good  quarters, 
proper  refreshments,  and  the  extraordinary  care  of 
their  officers,  relieved  these  difficulties,  and  put  the 
army  into  so  good  a  condition  as  enabled  them  to 
go  through  the  campaign  with  fewer  inconveniences 
and  much  less  loss  than  could  reasonably  be  ex- 
pected, considering  the  great  hardships  and  exces- 
sive fatigues  to  which  they  were  exposed. 

As  soon  as  Marshal  Wade  had  intelligence  at 
Newcastle  of  the  route  which  the  rebels  had  taken, 
he  resolved,  notwithstanding  the  severity  of  the 
season,  to  march  thence  to  the  relief  of  Carlisle. 
Accordingly,  on  the  1  Jrh  of  November,  the  army 
began  to  move  for  that  purpose.  His  Excellency 
intended  to  have  begun  his  march  as  soon  as  it 
was  light;  but,  moving  from  the  left,  the  troops 
which  had  the  van,  delayed  their  motions  several 
hours,  to  the  great  prejudice  of  the  expedition  ;  for 
the  weather  being  extremely  cold,  and  the  travel- 


MARCH  OF  THE  TROOPS.  281 

ling  impeded  by  a  deep  snow,  or  made  rough  by 
frozen  ground,  the  troops  suffered  very  much.  The 
Major  Generals  Howard  and  Oglethorpe,  and  the 
Brigadiers,  Cholmondley  and  Mordaunt,  marched 
on  foot  at  the  head  of  the  infantry  to  encourage 
the  soldiers.  It  was  eight  at  night  and  very  dark 
before  the  front  line  got  into  the  camp  at  Oving- 
ton  ;  and  though  the  soldiers  resolutely  pressed 
forward,  yet,  the  roads  being  terribly  broken  and 
full  of  ice,  it  was  foreseen  that  many  of  the  last 
column  might  drop,  through  excessive  fatigue  ;  and 
therefore  the  Major  Generals  Huske  and  Ogle- 
thorpe sent  out  countrymen  with  lights  and  carts  to 
assist  the  rear  guard,  and  bring  up  the  tired  men. 
In  this  service  they  were  employed  till  near  nine 
the  next  mornins;. 

On  the  17th  the  Marshal  continued  his  march 
to  Hexham,  where  he  arrived,  with  the  first  line, 
about  four  in  the  afternoon,  but  the  rear  of  the 
army  did  not  come  up  till  near  midnight.  Having 
received  intelligence  that  Carlisle  had  surrendered, 
he  resolved  to  march  back  to  Newcastle  ;  but,  the 
weather  continuing  bad,  and  the  roads  become  in 
a  manner  impassable,  he  did  not  arrive  there  with 
his  army  till  the  16th ;  and,  even  then,  the  forces 
under  his  command  were  so  exhausted  by  fatigue, 
and  lamed  by  travelling,  that,  if  it  had  not  been 
36 


282  I5UKE  OF  CUMBERLAND'S  ARMY. 

for  the  great  care  taken  of  them  by  the  people  of 
Newcastle,  they  must  have  been,  not  only  disheart- 
ened, but  disqualified  for  service. 

In  the  meantime  the  Duke  of  Cumberland's 
army  was  forming  in  Staffordshire  ;  for,  upon  the 
approach  of  the  Rebels,  it  was  resolved  that  his 
Royal  Highness  should  be  sent  down  to  command 
the  forces  in  that  part  of  the  kingdom  ;  and  he  ar- 
rived at  Litchfield  on  the  28th  of  November. 

Towards  the  latter  end  of  the  month,  the  army, 
under  the  command  of  Marshal  Wade,  began  to 
move  ;  the  cavalry  having  reached  Darlington  and 
Richmond  by  the  25th.  On  the  29th  the  infantry 
was  at  Persbridge,  whence  he  proposed  to  march 
to  Wetherby,  and  there  canton  the  whole  army  in 
the  adjacent  villages ;  looking  upon  this  as  the  most 
convenient  station  either  for  distressing  the  enemy, 
should  they  attempt  to  retire,  or  for  cooperating 
with  the  forces  of  his  Royal  Highness,  as  occasion 
should  render  necessary. 

On  the  8th  of  December  the  Marshal  held  a 
council  of  war,  at  Ferry-bridge,  to  consider  of  the 
most  effectual  means  for  cutting  off  the  Highlanders 
on  their  retreat ;  and,  in  this  council  it  was  resolved 
to  march  directly  to  Wakefield  and  Halifax  into 
Lancashire,  as  the  most  likely  way  of  intercepting 
the  rebels.     Having  arrived  at  Wakefield  on  the 


MOVEMENTS  OF  OGLETHORPE.  £83 

10th,  and  having  advice  that  the  main  body  of  the 
rebels  was  at  Manchester,  and  their  van-guard  mov- 
ing from  thence  towards  Preston,  and  finding  that 
it  was  now  impossible  to  come  up  with  them,  he 
judged  it  unnecessary  to  fatigue  the  forces  by  hard 
marches,  and,  therefore,  detaching  Major  General 
Oglethorpe,  on  the  11th,  with  the  cavalry  under 
his  command,  he  began  the  march,  with  the  rest  of 
the  forces  to  Newcastle.  On  the  13th  a  great  body 
of  the  horse  and  dragoons  under  Oglethorpe  arrived 
at  Preston,  having  marched  a  hundred  miles  in 
three  days  over  roads  naturally  bad,  and  at  that  time 
almost  impassable  with  snow  and  ice ;  "  which," 
says  the  Historian,  "  was  a  noble  testimony  of  zeal 
and  spirit,  especially  in  the  new  raised  forces." 

His  Royal  Highness  immediately  gave  his  orders 
for  continuing  the  pursuit  of  the  rebels,  with  the 
utmost  diligence.  Accordingly  Oglethorpe  ad- 
vanced towards  Lancaster ;  which  place  the  Duke 
reached  on  the  16th.  Oglethorpe,  continuing  his 
pursuit  at  the  heels  of  the  rebels,  arrived  on  the 
17th  in  front  of  a  village  called  Shap,  where  their 
rear  was  supposed  to  be,  just  before  night-fall,  in 
very  bad  weather.  Here  he  held  a  consultation 
with  his  officers,  in  which  it  was  decided  that  the 
lateness  of  the  hour,  and  the  exhaustion  of  the 
troops,  rendered  it  inexpedient  to  make  the  attack 


284  COURT  MARTIAL. 

that  night.  Ho,  therefore,  entered  the  neighboring 
village  to  ol)tain  forage,  and  to  refresh.  Mean- 
while the  Duke  pressed  on  ;  and,  next  morning, 
when  he  came  to  Shap,  found  that  it  had  been 
abandoned  by  the  rebels;  but  was  surprised  at  see- 
ing on  his  right,  towards  the  rear,  an  unexpected 
body  of  troops.  It  turned  out  to  be  Oglethorpe's 
corps,  which,  from  being  the  van-guard  of  the 
army,  had  thus  unaccountably  become  the  rear. 
Vexed  at  the  disappointing  occurrence,  he  caused 
Oglethorpe  to  be  arraigned  before  a  Court  Martial, 
for  having  "  lingered  on  the  road."  His  trial  came 
on  at  the  Horse-guards  on  the  29th  of  September, 
and  ended  the  7th  of  October,  1746;  when  "he 
was  honorably  acquitted,  and  his  Majesty  was  gra- 
ciously pleased  to  confirm  the  sentence."  ^ 

'  See  London  Gazette  for  October  20th,  1746 ;  and  the  Memoir  in 
European  Magazine  for  1785. 

Croker,  in  a  note  to  his  edition  of  Boswell's  Life  of  Johnson, 
Vol.  I.  page  97,  says  that  "  though  acquitted,  he  was  never  again 
employed.  It  is  by  no  means  surprising  that  this  neglect  should 
have  mortified  a  man  of  Oglethorpe's  sensibility;  and  it  is  to  be  in- 
ferred, from  Mr.  Boswell's  expressions,  that,  late  in  life,  he  had  in 
vain  solicited  for  'some  mark  of  distinction,'  to  heal  his  wounded 
feelings."  The  last  intimations  are  confuted  by  the  advancements  in 
military  rank  stated  in  the  following  pages  of  these  memorials. 
The  "mark  of  distinction,"  deserved,  perhaps  expected,  but  cer- 
tainly not  "  solicited,"  might  be  that  of  Knight,  a  title  worn  by  his 
father,  as  also  by  the  father  of  his  wife. 


PROMOTION  OF  OGLETHORPE.  285 

As  a  still  higher  proof  that  he  stood  high  in  pub- 
lic estimation,  on  the  13th  of  September,  1747,  he 
was  made  Brigadier  General  in  the  British  army. 

On  the  establishment  of  the  British  Herring 
Fishery,  in  1750,  he  took  a  very  considerable  part, 
and  became  one  of  the  Council ;  in  which  situa- 
tion, on  the  25th  of  October  he  delivered  to  the 
Prince  of  Wales  the  Charter  of  incorporation  in  a 
speech  which  was  printed  in  the  public  journals. 

In  1754  he  was  candidate  for  the  borough  of 
Haslemere,  which  he  had  represented  in  former 
Parliaments  ;  but  on  the  close  of  the  poll,  the  num- 
bers were  found  to  be  for  J.  Moore  Molyneaux,  75  ; 
Philip  Carteret  Webb,  76  ;  Peter  Burrel,  46  ;  and 
Oglethorpe  only  45. 

On  February  22d,  1765,  he  was  raised  to  the 
rank  of  General  of  all  his  Majesty's  forces  ;  and 
for  many  years  before  his  death  was  the  oldest  gen- 
eral officer  on  the  staff'.^ 

Here,  perhaps,  is  the  proper  place  to  introduce 
an  anecdote  given  by  Major  McCall,  in  his  History 
of  Georgia,  Vol.  I.  p.  325,  too  striking  to  be  omit- 
ted.    "  At  the  commencement  of  the  American 

'  In  the  Army  list,  issued  from  the  War  Office,  20th  July,  1781, 
and  in  Stockdale's  Calendar  for  the  year  1785,  (the  year  of  Ogle- 
thorpe's death,)  both  of  which  are  now  before  me,  his  name  is  first 
on  the  list. 


286  ANECDOTE   FROM  McCALL. 

Revolution,  being  the  senior  officer  of  Sir  William 
Howe,  he  had  the  prior  offer  of  the  command  of 
the  forces  appointed  to  subdue  the  Rebels.  He 
professed  his  readiness  to  accept  the  appointment, 
'  if  the  Ministry  would  authorize  him  to  assure  the 
Colonies  that  justice  should  be  done  them.'  His 
proposal  appeared  to  be  the  result  of  humanity  and 
equity.  He  declared  that  '  he  knew  the  Ameri- 
cans well;  that  they  never  would  be  subdued  by 
arms;  but  that  obedience  would  be  secured  by 
doing  them  justice.'  A  man  with  these  views  was 
not  a  fit  instrument  for  the  British  Government, 
and  therefore,  agreeably  to  his  own  request,  he  was 
permitted  to  remain  at  home." 

McCall  refers  to  "  the  Annual  Register,"  for 
his  authority ;  but,  after  careful  searching,  1  do  not 
find  the  statement.  The  intermediate  comments, 
and  the  last  sentence,  are  undoubtedly  the  Major's. 
The  anecdote  is  also  related  in  Ramsay's  History 
of  the  United  States,  Vol.  HI.  p.  166. 

I  much  doubt,  however,  that  an  official  offer  was 
made  to  him,  as  he  was  too  old  to  engage  in  such 
a  service  ;  and  deem  the  statement  not  sufficiently 
authenticated  to  be  relied  on. 

He  continued  to  reside,  principally,  at  Cranham 
Hall,  in  Essex,  a  fine  country  seat  of  which  he  be- 
came possessed  by  his  marriage  with  the  heiress  of 


SOCIAL  LIFE   OF  OGLETHORPE.  9^7 

Sir  Nathan  Wright.  In  this  beautiful  retreat,  fa- 
vored with  the  enjoyment  of  uninterrupted  health, 
the  possession  of  worldly  competence,  and  the 
heart-cheering  comforts  of  connubial  life,  he  looked 
back  upon  the  chequered  scene  of  his  former  ser- 
vices with  lively  gratitude  that  he  had  escaped  so 
many  dangers,  and  been  an  honored  instrument  of 
effecting  so  much  good  ;  and  the  present  happy 
condition  of  his  lot  was  heightened  by  its  contrast 
with  past  hardships,  fatigues,  and  perils. 

He  passed  his  winters  in  London,  where  he  en- 
joyed the  acquaintance  and  even  intimacy  of  some 
of  the  most  honorable  and  distinguished  characters  of 
the  day.  "  A  gentleman  and  a  soldier,  he  united 
the  virtue  of  chivalrous  honor  and  magnanimity  with 
the  acquirements  of  learning  and  that  love  of  po- 
lite literature  which  associated  him  with  the  first 
scholars  of  the  age."  Oqe  who  knew  him  inti- 
mately has  said,  "  This  extraordinary  person  was 
as  remarkable  for  his  learning  and  taste,  as  for 
his  other  eminent  qualities;  and  no  man  was 
more  prompt,  active,  and  generous  in  encouraging 
merit."  ^ 

To  the  celebrated  Dr.  Johnson  he  was  respect- 

'  BoswELL,  in  the  Life  of  Johnson^  Vol.  I.  p.  97,  of  Croker's  edi- 
tion. 


288     BOSWELL'S  REGARD  FOR  OGLETHORPE. 

fully  attached ;  and  was  fond  of  having  him  often 
as  a  guest.  Bos  well  has  detailed  some  pleasing 
particulars  of  these  interviews  ;  and,  after  relating 
one,  adds  in  a  note  the  following  remarks  :  "  Let 
me  here  pay  a  tribute  of  gratitude  to  the  memory 
of  that  excellent  person,  my  intimacy  with  whom 
was  the  more  valuable  to  me,  because  my  first  ac- 
quaintance with  him  was  unexpected  and  unso- 
licited. Soon  after  the  publication  of  my  '  Ac- 
count of  Corsica,'  he  did  me  the  honor  to  call  on 
me,  and  approaching  me  with  a  frank,  courteous 
air,  said,  '  Sir,  my  name  is  Oglethorpe,  and  I  wish 
to  become  acquainted  with  you.'  I  was  not  a  little 
flattered  to  be  thus  addressed  by  an  eminent  man, 
of  whom  I  had  read  in  Pope  from  my  early  years, 

"  Or,  driven  by  strong  benevolence  of  soul, 
Will  fly  like  Oglethorpe  from  pole  to  pole." 

1  was  fortunate  enough  to  be  found  worthy  of  his 
good  opinion,  insomuch  that  I  was  not  only  invited 
to  make  one  of  the  many  respectable  companies 
whom  he  entertained  at  his  table,  but  had  a  cover 
at  his  hospitable  board  every  day  when  I  happened 
to  be  disengaged ;  and  in  his  society  I  never  failed 
to  enjoy  learned  and  animated  conversation,  sea- 
soned with  genuine  sentiments  of  virtue  and  re- 
ligion." * 

'  Vol.  [II,  p.  225. 


DR.  JOHNSON'S  PROPOSAL.  289 

Dr.  Warton,  referring  to  Oglethorpe,  says,  "  I 
had  the  pleasure  of  knowing  him  well  ;  "  and,  in 
a  note  upon  the  couplet  quoted  from  Pof)e,  says, 
"  Here  are  lines  that  will  justly  confer  immortality 
on  a  man  who  well  deserved  so  magnificent  an 
eulogium.  He  was,  at  once,  a  great  hero,  and  a 
great  legislator.  The  vigor  of  his  mind  and  body 
have  seldom  been  equalled.  The  vivacity  of  his 
genius  continued  to  great  old  age.  The  variety  of 
his  adventures,  and  the  very  different  scenes  in 
which  he  had  been  engaged,  made  me  regret  that 
his  life  has  never  been  written.  Dr.  Johnson  once 
offered  to  do  it,  if  the  General  would  furnish  him 
the  materials.  Johnson  had  a  great  regard  for  him, 
for  he  was  one  of  the  first  persons  that  highly,  in 
all  companies,  praised  his  "  London."  His  first 
campaign  was  made  under  Prince  Eugene  against 
the  Turks,  and  that  great  General  always  spoke  of 
Oglethorpe  in  the  highest  terms.  But  his  settle- 
ment of  the  Colony  of  Georgia  gave  a  greater  lustre 
to  his  character  than  even  his  military  exploits." 

With  Goldsmith,  too,  he  was  intimate.  In  the 
lately  published  biography  of  this  poet  by  Prior,^ 
referring  to  the  occasional  relief  contributed  to  him 
in  his  exigences,  it  is  added,  "  Goldsmith  was  con- 


»  Vol.  II.  p.  457. 
37 


290  INVITATION  TO  GOLDSMITH. 

tent,  likewise,  to  be  made  the  channel  of  convey^ 
ance  for  the  bounty  of  others,  as  we  find  by  a  letter 
of  General  Oglethorpe,  a  distinguished  and  amiable 
man,  at  whose  table  he  met  with  good  society,  and 
spent  many  agreeable  hours,  and  who  now,  at  an 
advanced  period  of  life,  displayed  the  same  love  for 
the  good  of  mankind,  in  a  private  way,  that  he  had 
exerted  on  a  more  extended  scale."  With  the  letter 
he  sent  five  pounds,  to  be  distributed  in  aid  of  a 
charitable  institution,  in  whose  behalf  Goldsmith 
seems  to  have  taken  an  active  interest ;  and  the 
letter  concluded  wuth  this  kindly  expressed  invi- 
tation ;  "  If  a  farm,  and  a  mere  country  scene  will 
be  a  little  refreshment  from  the  smoke  of  London, 
we  shall  be  glad  of  the  happiness  of  seeing  you  at 
Cranham  Hall." 

It  is  asserted  that  "  his  private  benevolence  was 
great.  The  families  of  his  tenants  and  dependants 
were  sure  of  his  assistance  whilst  they  deserved  it ; 
and  he  has  frequently  supported  a  tenant,  whose 
situation  was  doubtful,  not  merely  forbearing  to  ask 
for  rent,  but  lending  him  money  to  go  on  with  his 
farm."  ^ 

Of  his  public  liberality,  repeated  mention  has 
been  made  in  the  course  of  this  work,  more  particu- 

*  Gentleman's  Magazine  for  July,  1785,  p.  518. 


TRAITS  OF  CHARACTER.  291 

larlj  in  the  settlement  of  Georgia  ;  in  the  further- 
ance of  which  he  not  only  bore  his  own  expenses, 
but  procured  various  outfits.  He  also  contributed  pe- 
cuniary assistance  and  conferred  favors  to  encourage 
exertion,  or  reward  well  doing.  No  one  excelled 
him  in  those  smaller  attentions  to  the  interests  and 
gratification  of  his  friends  and  acquaintance  ;  which, 
though  they  do  not  of  themselves  constitute  a  great 
character,  are,  certainly,  very  pleasing  recommenda- 
tions of  it. 

It  is  not  denied  that  he  had  his  imperfections  and 
errors  ;  and  some,  for  which  the  plea  of  human 
frailty  alone  may  not  be  a  sufficient  excuse.  He 
was  rather  passionate  in  his  temper,  impatient  of 
contradiction,  and  quick  in  his  resentments  ;  but, 
upon  any  ingenuous  concession,  was  placable  and 
ready  to  admit  an  apology.  To  the  humble  offender 
he  was  reconcilable,  and  to  the  submissive,  mag- 
nanimous. In  the  heyday  of  life,  a  soldierly  pride, 
or  military  point  of  honor,  sometimes  betrayed  him 
into  indiscretions  or  involved  him  in  rencounters,  to 
which,  as  he  became  more  mature  in  age  and  in 
judgment,  a  dignified  sense  of  true  greatness  ren- 
dered him  superior.  Some  instances  of  rashness 
have  been  noted  by  Walpole  with  unsparing  vitu- 
peration ; '  and  some  self-complacent  or  boasting 

'  "All  the  stories  of  Horace  Walpole  are  to  be  received  with  great 


292  SOCIAL   QUALITIES. 

sallies,  have  been  pointed  at  by  Croker  with  a  sar- 
castic sneer.  But,  admitting  that  these  were  far 
from  being  venial  faults,  yet  it  would  be  very 
uncharitable  now  to  recall  them  from  the  forgetful- 
ness  and  forgiveness  in  which  they  have  long  been 
passed  over ;  especially  as  they  were  fully  redeemed 
by  noble  qualities  and  beneficent  deeds.  Surely, 
he  who  was  celebrated  by  Pope  and  Thompson, 
honored  by  the  Reverend  Dr.  Burton,  vindicated 
and  praised  in  Parliament  by  the  excellent  Duke  of 
Argyle,  and  favored  by  the  regards  of  Dr.  Johnson, 
"  the  English  moralist," '  must  have  had  a  large 
prevalence  of  what,  in  the  opinion  of  the  best 
judges,  is  estimable  in  disposition  and  conduct,  and 
irreproachable  in  character ! 

He  had  a  pleasing  talent  at  narrative,  and  when 
animated  by  the  cheering  attention  of  his  friends, 
he  would  give  full  scope  to  it.  Anecdotes  of  times 
past,  incidents  and  scenes  of  his  eventful  life,  and 
occurrences  which  had  passed  under  his  observation, 

caution ;  but  his  Reminiscences,  above  all,  written  in  his  dotage, 
teem  with  the  grossest  inaccuracies  and  incredible  assertions." 
Lord  Mahon's  History  of  England.  Lond.  1837.  Vol.  II.  p.  174, 
note. 

*  This  honored  friend  he  outlived  ;  and,  while  attending  the  sale 
of  his  library,  February  18th,  1785,  the  fine  characteristic  portrait 
of  him  was  taken  by  S.  Ireland,  an  engraving  of  which  makes  the 
frontispiece  of  this  volume. 


FEMALE   FRIENDS.  293 

when  detailed  bj  him  at  length,  and  set  off  with 
his  amusing  episodical  remarks  and  illustrations, 
made  him  a  most  entertaining  chronicler.  These 
were  sometimes  enlivened  with  a  sportive  humor 
that  gave  a  charm  to  the  social  hour,  and  contributed 
to  the  amusement  of  his  guests  and  friends.  If  in 
his  extreme  old  age  he  indulged  in  egotisms  or 
loquacity,  still  his  observations  were  those  of  one 
who  had  seen  and  read  much,  and  was  willing  to 
communicate  his  acquired  knowledge  and  the  results 
of  his  observation  and  experience ;  and  few  who 
attended  to  him,  did  so  without  receiving  informa- 
tion and  entertainment.  Even  his  old  stories  of  his 
own  acting,  served  to  confirm  what  he  said,  and  he 
made  them  better  in  the  telling ;  so  that  he  was 
rarely  troublesome  with  the  same  tale  told  again, 
for  he  gave  it  an  air  of  freshness. 

Polite  in  his  address  and  graceful  in  his  manners, 
the  gallant  veteran  was  a  favorite  visiter  in  the 
parties  of  accomplished  ladies  that  occasionally  met 
at  the  house  of  Mrs.  Montague,  Mrs.  Garrick,  Mrs. 
Boscawen,  and  Mrs.  Carter.  —  Hannah  More,  in  a 
letter  to  her  sister,  in  1784,  says,  "  I  have  got  a 
new  admirer  ;  it  is  the  famous  General  Ogle- 
thorpe, perhaps  the  most  remarkable  man  of  his 
time.  He  was  foster-brother  to  the  Pretender ;  and 
is  much  above  ninety  years  old ;  the  finest  figure 


294      HANNAH  MORE  PRAISES  OGLETHORPE. 

you  ever  saw.  He  perfectly  realizes  all  my  ideas 
of  Nestor.  His  literature  is  great ;  his  knowledge 
of  the  world  extensive  ;  and  his  faculties  as  bright 
as  ever.  He  is  one  of  the  three  persons  still  living 
who  were  mentioned  by  Pope  ;  Lord  Mansfield  and 
Lord  Marchmont  are  the  other  two.  He  was  the 
intimate  friend  of  Southern,  the  tragic  poet,  and  all 
the  wits  of  that  time.  He  is,  perhaps,  the  oldest 
man  of  a  Gentleman  living.  I  went  to  see  him  the 
other  day,  and  he  would  have  entertained  me  by 
repeating  passages  from  Sir  Eldred.  He  is  quite  a 
preux  chevalier,  heroic,  romantic,  and  full  of  the 
old  gallantry." '  In  another  letter,  she  mentions 
being  in  company  with  the  General  at  Mrs.  Vesey's, 
where  the  Dutchess  of  Portland  and  Mrs.  Delany 
were  present,  and  where  "  Mr.  Burke  talked  a 
great  deal  of  politics  with  General  Oglethorpe.  He 
told  him,  with  great  truth,  that  he  looked  upon  him 
as  a  more  extraordinary  person  than  any  he  had 
ever  read  of,  for  he  had  founded  the  province  of 
Georgia ;  had  absolutely  called  it  into  existence, 
and  had  lived  to  see  it  severed  from  the  Empire 
which  created  it,  and  become  an  independent 
State." ^ 

The  late  President,  John  Adams,  saw  Oglethorpe 
in  1785,  a  short  time  before  his  decease.     Within 

'  Life  and  Letters,  Vol.  I.  p.  181.  »  Ibid.  204. 


OGLETHORPE  VISITS  PRESIDENT  ADAMS.    295 

a  day  or  two  after  his  arrival  in  London,  as  Ambas- 
sador from  the  United  States,  had  been  announced 
in  the  pubHc  prints,  the  General  called  upon  him; 
as  was  very  polite  and  complimentary.  "  He  had 
come  to  pay  his  respects  to  the  first  American 
Ambassador  and  his  Family,  whom  he  was  glad  to 
see  in  England  ;  expressed  a  great  esteem  and 
regard  for  America ;  much  regret  at  the  misunder- 
standing between  the  two  countries  ;  and  felt  very 
happy  to  have  lived  to  see  the  termination  of  it."^ 
There  was  something  peculiarly  interesting  in  this 
interview.  He  who  had  planted  Georgia,  and  pro- 
vided for  it  during  the  earliest  stages  of  its  depend- 
ent condition  as  a  Colony,  held  converse  with  him 
who  had  come  to  a  Royal  Court,  the  Representative 
of  its  National  Independence  ! 

A  writer  in  the  year  1732,  and  within  the  month 
on  which  the  charter  for  Georgia  was  issued,  made 
the  following  remarks  :  "  If  the  Trustees  give  liberty 
of  Religion,  establish  the  people  free,  fix  an  agrarian 
law,  and  go  upon  the  glorious  maxims  of  liberty 
and  virtue,  their  Province,  in  the  age  of  a  man,  by 
being  the  asylum  of  the  unfortunate,  will  become 
more  and  more  advantageous  to  Britain  than  the 
conquest  of  a  kingdom."^     The   suggestion  here 

'  See  a  letter  from  President  Adams  to  Dr.  Holmes.  Annals, 
Vol.  II.  p.  530. 

'  London  Magazine  for  1732,  p.  198. 


296  OGLETHORPE'S   DEATH. 

made  was  seasonable  and  judicious  ;  and  the  pros- 
pective intimation  was  a  prophecy,  accomplished  in 
a  sense  not  imagined,  and  surely  not  anticipated  by 
the  writer.  The  Province  did  become,  whilst  its 
founder  was  yet  living,  and  therefore  "  in  the  age 
of  a  man,"  a  highly  advantageous  acquisition  to 
Great  Britain  in  a  commercial  relation  ;  and,  though 
dismembered  from  the  Empire,  an  important  inde- 
pendent State. 

This  remarkable  man,  abstemious  in  his  mode  of 
living,  regular  in  his  habits,  and  using  much  exer- 
cise, enjoyed  good  health  to  extreme  old  age  ;  and 
such  was  his  activity,  that  he  could  outwalk  persons 
more  than  half  a  century  younger.  At  that  period 
of  advanced  life,  when  the  weight  of  years  usually 
bears  down  the  elasticitv  of  the  mind,  he  retained 
all  that  spring  of  intellect  which  had  characterized 
the  promptitude  of  earlier  days ;  his  bodily  senses 
seemed  but  little  impaired  ;  and  his  eye-sight  served 
him  to  the  last. 

He  died  at  his  seat  at  Cranham,  of  a  violent 
fever,  30th  of  June,  1785. 

"And  dropt  like  Autumn  fruit,  which,  ripening  long, 
Was  wondered  at  because  it  fell  no  sooner." ' 

'  The  library  of  General  Oglethorpe  was  sold  by  Calderwood  in 
1788.  It  comprised  standard  works  of  Ancient  and  Modern  His- 
tory, of  the  Drama,  Poetry,  and  Polite  Literature. 


CONCLUDING  REMARKS.  297 

The  preceding  pages  have  given  details  of  some 
principal  actions  and  exploits  of  a  very  remarkable 
man  ;  whose  projects,  dictated  by  benevolence  and 
inspired  by  philanthropy,  were  all  prospective.  Their 
first,  and,  apparently,  principal  object,  was  to  pro- 
vide relief  for  the  indigent,  and  an  asylum  for  the 
oppressed.  Their  second,  to  unite  the  pensioners 
on  the  liberally  contributed  bounty,  in  a  social  com- 
pact for  mutual  assistance,  and  a  ready  cooperation 
for  the  general  good.  But  even  this,  beneficent  as 
it  was,  fell  short  of  his  aim.  He  considered  him- 
self to  be  engaged  in  forming  a  Colony,  destined 
to  extend  and  flourish  under  the  salutary  principles 
of  order  and  justice,  and  the  sustaining  sanctions 
of  civil  law,  and  a  form  of  government,  which  his 
breast  swelled  with  the  patriotic  hope,  would  be 
well  constituted  and  wisely  administered. 

This  very  statement  of  the  origin  of  these  politi- 
cal institutions,  bears  on  it  the  indications  of  their 
perj^etuity,  especially  as  the  freedom  obtained  for 
the  first  emigrants  from  rigorous  exaction  in  their 
native  country,  was  remembered  and  cherished  in 
that  which  they  settled,  till  it  formed  the  constit- 
uents of  civil  liberty,  which  at  length  "  threw  off 
every  yoke,"  for  the  attainment  of  National  Inde- 
pendence. 

38 


298  MONUMENTAL  INSCRIPTION. 

Hence,  his  agency,  services  and  expenditures  in 
settling  the  Province  of  Georgia,  his  disinterested 
devotedness  to  its  establishment  and  progressive 
welfare,  and  his  bravery  and  personal  exposure  in 
its  defence,  enrolled  among  the  important  achieve- 
ments of  his  long  and  eventful  life,  constitute  the 
most  splendid  trophy  to  his  fame,  and  will  ensure 
to  his  name  a  memory  as  lasting  as  that  of  America 
itself. 


On  a  mural  tablet  of  white  marble,  in  the  chan- 
cel of  Cranham  Church,  is  the  following  inscrip- 
tion, drawn  up  by  Capel  Lofft,  Esq. 

Near  this  place  lie  the  remains  of 

James  Edward  Oglethorpe,  Esq. 

who  served  under  Prince  Eugene, 

and  in  1714  was  Captain  Lieutenant  in  the 

first  troop  of  the   Queen's  Guards. 

In  1740  he  was  appointed  Colonel  of  a  Regiment 

to  be  raised  for  Georgia. 

In  1745  he  was  appointed  Major  General ; 

in  1747  Lieutenant  General ;  and 

in  1760,  General  of  his  Majesty's  forces. 

In  his  civil  station, 

he  was  very  early  conspicuous. 

He  was  chosen   Member  of  Parliament 

for  Haslemere  in  Surry  in  1722, 

and  continued  to  represent  it  till  1754. 

In  the  Committee  of  Parliament, 


MONUMENTAL  INSCRIPTION.  299 

for  inquiring  into  the  state  of  the  gaols, 

formed  25th  of  February,  1728, 

and  of  which  he  was  Chairman, 

the  active  and  persevering  zeal  of  his  benevolence 

found  a  truly  suitable  employment, 

by  visiting,  with  his  colleagues  of  that  generous  body, 

the  dark  and  pestilential  dungeons  of  the  Prisons 

which  at  that  time  dishonored  the  metropolis ; 

detecting  the  most  enormous  oppressions  ; 

obtaining  exemplary  punishment  on  those  who  had  been 

guilty  of  such  outrage  against  humanity  and  justice  ; 

and  redressing  multitudes  from  extreme  misery 

to  light  and  freedom. 

Of  these,  about  seven  hundred,  rendered,  by  long  confinement 

for  debt,  strangers  and  helpless  in  the  country  of  their  birth, 

and  desirous  of  seeking  an  asylum  in  the  wilds  of  America, 

were  by  him  conducted  thither  in  1732. 

He  willingly  encountered  in  their  behalf 

a  variety  of  fatigue  and  danger, 

and  thus  became  the  founder  of 

the  Colony  of  Georgia ; 

a  Colony  which  afterwards  set  the  noble  example 

of  prohibiting  the  importation  of  slaves. 

This  new  establishment 

he  strenuously  and  successfully  defended 

against  a  powerful  attack  of  the  Spaniards. 

In  the  year  in  which  he  quitted  England 

to  found  this  settlement, 

he  nobly  strove  to  secure 

our  true  national  defence  by  sea  and  land, 

—  a  free  navy  — 

without  impressing  a  constitutional  militia. 

But  his  social  affections  were  more  enlarged 

than  even  the  terra  Patriotism  can  express ; 


300  MONUMENTAL   INSCRIPTION. 

he  was  the  friend  of  the  oppressed  negro, — 

no  part  of  the  globe  was  too  remote,  — 

no  interest  too  unconnected, — 

or  too  much  opposed  to  his  own, 

to  prevent  the  immediate  succor  of  suffering  humanity. 

For  such  qualities  he  received, 

from  the  ever  memorable  John,  Duke  of  Argyle, 

a  full  testimony,  in  the  British  Senate, 

to  his  military  character, 

his  natural  generosity, 

his  contempt  of  danger, 

and  regard  for  the  Public. 

A  similar  encomium  is  perpetuated  in  a  foreign  language  ;' 

and,  by  one  of  our  most  celebrated  Poets, 

his  remembrance  is  transmitted  to  posterity 

in  lines  justly  expressive  of 

the  purity,  the  ardor,  and  the  extent  of  his  benevolence. 

He  lived  till  the  1st  of  July,  1785; 

a  venerable  instance  to  what  a  duration 

a  life  of  temperance  and  virtuous  labor 

is  capable  of  being  protracted. 

His  widow,  Elizabeth, 

daughter  of  Sir  Nathan  Wright  of  Cranham  hall,  Bart. 

and  only  sister  and  heiress  of  Sir  Samuel  Wright,  Bart. 

of  the  same  place, 

surviving,  with  regret, 

but  with  due  submission  to  Divine  Providence, 

an  affectionate  husband, 

after  an  union  of  more  than  forty  years, 

hath  inscribed  to  his  memory 

these  faint  traces  of  his  excellent  character. 

'  Keferring  to  the  encomium  of  the  Abbe  Raynal,  in  his  Histoire  Phi- 
losophique  et  Politique. 


MONUMENTAL   INSCRIPTION.  ^qj 


"  Religion  watches  o'er  his  urn, 

And  all  the  virtues  bending  mourn ; 

Humanity,  with  languid  eye, 

Melting  for  others'  misery ; 

Prudence,  whose  hands  a  measure  hold, 

And  Temperance,  with  a  chain  of  gold ; 

Fidelity's  triumphant  vest. 

And  Fortitude  in  armor  drest ; 

"Wisdom's  grey  locks,  and  Freedom,  join 

The  moral  train  to  bless  his  shrine, 

And  pensive  all,  around  his  ashes  holy, 

Their  last  sad  honors  pay  in  order  melancholy."  ' 

'  These  last  verses  were  added  by  the  old  friend  of  the  General,  the 
Rev.  Moses  Browne. 


OBITUARY     NOTICE 


MRS.    ELIZABETH    OGLETHORPE, 


WITH   EXTRACTS   FROM    HER   WILL. 


OBITUARY    NOTICE, 

COPIED  FKOM  THE  GENTLEMAN'S  MAGAZINE  FOB  1787,  PAGE  1025. 

October  26th,  1787,  died,  at  her  seat,  Cranham 
Hall,  Co.  Essex,'  aged  79,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Ogle- 
thorpe, widow  of  the  late  General  Oglethorpe.  She 
was  daughter  of  Sir  Nathan  Wright,  Bart.,  (nephew 
to  the  Lord  Keeper,)  bv  Abigail,  his  fourth  wife,  who 
survived  and  married  Mr.  Tryst.  Sir  Nathan,  by 
his  first  wife,  (Anne  Meyrick)  had  two  sons ;  Na- 
than, who  succeeded  him  in  title,  and  who  married 
a  daughter  of  Sir  Francis  Lawley,  and  died  in 
April,  1737;  and  John,  who  died  without  issue. 
By  his  second  wife,  (Elizabeth  Brage)  he  had  a 
son,  Benjamin,  who  died  before  him.    By  his  third 

*  This  old  mansion,  situated  on  a  pleasant  rising  ground,  was 
built  about  the  end  of  the  reign  of  James  I.  In  the  hall  is  a  very 
fine  whole-length  picture  of  Mr.  Nathan  Wright,  a  considerable 
Spanish  merchant  in  the  beginning  of  Charles  the  First's  time,  who 
resided  long  in  that  country,  by  Antonio  Arias,  an  eminent  painter 
of  Madrid ;  and  the  more  curious,  as  perhaps  there  is  not  another 
picture  of  that  able  master  in  England.  Gentleman's  Magazine, 
LV.  518. 

39 


306  MRS.  OGLETHORPE'S  WILL. 

wife,  (Eliza])cth  Bowatcr)  he  had  no  issue.  By  the 
fourth  he  had  a  son,  Samuel,  and  Mrs.  Oglethorpe. 
Sir  Nathan,  the  son,  had  one  son  and  two  daugh- 
ters ;  and  the  son  dying  without  issue,  his  half- 
brother,  Samuel,  succeeded  to  the  title  and  part  of 
the  estate.  He  dying  a  bachelor,  Mrs.  Oglethorpe 
became  his  heir,  and  has  died  without  leaving  any 
child.  September  15,  1744,  she  married  the  late 
General  Oglethorpe,  who  died  July  1,  1785  ;^  and 
to  her  magnanimity  and  prudence,  on  an  occasion  of 
much  difficulty,  it  was  owing  that  the  evening  of 
their  lives  was  tranquil  and  pleasant,  after  a  stormy 
noon.  Very  many  and  continual  were  her  acts  of 
benevolence  and  charity ;  but,  as  she  would  herself 
have  been  hurt  by  any  display  of  them  in  her  life- 
time, we  will  say  no  more.  Not  to  have  mentioned 
them  at  all  would  have  been  unjust  to  her  memory, 
and  not  less  so  to  the  world,  in  Avhich  such  an  ex- 
ample may  operate  as  an  incitement  to  others  to  go 
and  do  likewise. 


'  The  date  for  the  time  of  the  death  of  General  Oglethorpe, 
which  is  given  on  the  296th  page  of  this  volume,  was  taken  from 
the  public  Gazettes.  As  it  took  place  late  in  the  night,  it  might  be 
rather  uncertain  as  to  its  being  the  close  of  one  day  or  the  begin- 
ning of  another.  But  the  above,  corroborated  by  the  testimony  of 
the  monumental  inscription,  must  be  correct.  I  regret,  however, 
that  I  did  not  perceive  it  sooner.  t.  m.  h. 


MRS.  OGLETHORPE'S  WILL.  307 

By  her  will,  which  is  very  long,  and  dated  May 
30,  1786,  and  has  four  codicils,  the  last  dated  Sep- 
tember 11, 1787,  she  leaves  her  estate  at  Westbrook, 
in  Godalming,  Co.  Surrey,  bequeathed  to  her  by 
the  General,  to  his  great  nephew,  Eugene,  Mar- 
quis of  Bellegarde,  in  France,  then  in  the  Dutch 
service,  but  born  in  England,  and  his  heirs,  with 
all  her  plate,  jewels,  &c. ;  to  her  nephews,  John 
and  Charles  Apreece,  and  their  sister  Dorothy,  wife 

of Cole,  an  annuity  of  £100  amongst  them, 

and  the  survivor  for  life ;  and  if  either  John  or 
Charles  succeed  to  the  Baronet's  title,  the  annuity 
to  go  over  to  the  other ;  but  if  their  sister  survive, 
she  to  have  only  £200  per  annum ;  also  four  an- 
nuities, of  £50  each,  to  four  of  her  female  friends 
or  neighbors.  All  these  annuities  are  charged  on 
the  Cranham  estate,  which  she  gives  in  trust  to  Sir 
George  Allanson  Wynne,  Bart.,  and  Mr.  Granville 
Sharpe,  for  the  use  of  her  nephew.  Sir  Thomas 
Apreece,  of  Washingley,  Co.  Huntingdon,  for  life, 
remainder  in  tail  to  his  issue  male  or  female,  re- 
mainder to  his  brothers  John  and  Charles,  and  sis- 
ter Dorothy,  successively,  remainder  to  her  own 
right  heirs.  The  manor  of  Canewdon  Hall,  Essex, 
to  be  sold  to  pay  legacies,  viz. :  £100  to  Sir  G.  A. 
Wynne  ;  £1000  to  the  Princess  of  Rohan,  related 
to  her   late   husband ;    £500   to  the  Princess  de 


308  MRS.  OGLETHORPE'S  WILL. 

Ligne,  her  late  husband's  niece;  £1000  to  Samuel 
Crawley,  Esq.,  of  Theobalds,  Co.  Herts ;  £500 
among  the  Miss  Dawes's,  of  Coventry ;  £500  to 
James  Fitter,  Esq.,  of  Westminster  ;  £500  to  the 
Marquis  of  Bellegarde.  The  manor  of  Fairstead 
Hall,  Co.  Essex,  to  Granville  Sharpe,  for  life,  pay- 
ing £50  per  annum  to  his  friend  Mr.  Marriott,  relict 
of  General  Marriott,  of  Godalming,  and  to  settle 
the  said  estate  to  charitable  uses  after  his  death,  at 
his  discretion.  To  Edward  Lloyd  and  Sarah  his 
wife,  her  servants,  £500 ;  and  £10  each,  to  other 
servants.  By  a  codicil :  to  Maria  Anne  Stephenson 
c£1000  stock  out  of  any  of  her  property  in  the 
funds  ;  to  Miss  Lewis,  who  lives  with  Mrs.  Fowle, 
in  Red-lion  square,  and  to  Miss  Billinghurst,  of  Go- 
dalming, £50  each  ;  to  the  poor  of  Cranham,  Fair- 
stead,  Canewdon,  and  Godalming,  £20  each ;  her 
turn  of  patronage  to  the  united  livings  of  St.  Mary 
Somerset  and  St.  Mary  Mounthaw,  in  London,  to 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Herringham,  of  South  Weald.  By 
another  codicil,  £1000  more  to  the  Marquis  of 
Bellegarde;  £1000  to  Count  Bethisy;  £200  to 
Granville  Sharpe.  By  another,  revokes  the  lega- 
cies to  the  Princess  de  Ligne  and  Count  Bethisy, 
and  gives  them  to  the  two  younger  daughters  of 
the  Marquis  of  Bellegarde,  at  the  age  of  21,  or 
marriage.     As  the  Marquis  resides  in  France,  and 


MONUMENTAL  INSCRIPTION.  309 

it  may  be  inconvenient  to  him  to  keep  the  estate, 
she  gives  the  manors  of  Westbrook  and  Brims- 
combe,  and  Wcstbrook-place  in  Godahning,  in 
trust  to  G.  Sharpe,  and  William  Gill,  Esqrs.,  and 
their  heirs,  to  be  sold,  and  the  money  paid  to  the 
Marquis.  Her  executors  are  Mr.  Granville  Sharpe, 
and  Mrs.  Sarah  Dickinson,  of  Tottenham ;  the  lat- 
ter residuary  legatee. 

At  the  foot  of  the  monument  erected  to  the 
memory  of  General  Oglethorpe,  was  added  the  fol- 
lowing inscription  : 

"  His  disconsolate  Widow  died  October  26,  1787, 

in  her  79th  year, 

and  is  buried  with  him, 

in  the  vault  in  the  centre  of  this  Chancel. 

Her  fortitude  of  mind  and  extensive  charity 

deserve  to  be  remembered, 

though  her  own  modesty  would  desire  them  to 

be  forgotten." 


OGLETHORPE'S 


ACCOUNT  OF 


CAROLINA    AND    GEORGIA 


This  article  is  extracted  from  Salmon's  Modern  History, 
Yo\.  III.  page  770,  4th  edition ;  where  it  is  introduced  in  these 
words :  "  The  following  pages  are  an  answer  from  General 
Oglethokpe  to  some  inquiries  made  by  the  author,  concerning 
the  State  of  Carolina  and  Georciia." 


ACCOUNT 


CAROLINA  AND   GEORGIA. 


Carolina  is  part  of  that  territory  which  was  orig- 
inally discovered  by  Sir  Sebastian  Cabot.  The 
English  now  possess  the  sea-coast  from  the  river 
St.  John's,  in  30  degrees,  21  minutes  north  lati- 
tude. Westward  the  King's  charter  declares  it  to 
be  bounded  by  the  Pacific  ocean. 

Carolina  is  divided  into  North  Carolina,  South 
Carolina,  and  Georgia ;  the  latter  is  a  province 
which  his  Majesty  has  taken  out  of  Carolina,  and 
is  the  southern  and  western  frontier  of  that  province, 
lying  between  it  and  the  French,  Spaniards,  and 
Indians. 

The  part  of  Carolina  that  is  settled,  is  for  the 
most  part  a  flat  country.  All,  near  the  sea,  is  a 
range  of  islands,  which  breaks  the  fury  of  the 
ocean.  Within  is  generally  low  land  for  twenty  or 
twenty-five  miles,  where  the  country  begins  to  rise 

40 


314  CAROLINA  AND  GEORGIA. 

in  gentle  swellings.  At  seventy  or  eighty  miles 
from  the  sea,  the  hills  grow  higher,  till  they  termi- 
nate in  mountains. 

The  coast  of  Georgia  is  also  defended  from  the 
rage  of  the  sea  by  a  range  of  islands.  Those 
islands  are  divided  from  the  main  by  canals  of  salt 
water,  navigable  for  the  largest  boats,  and  even  for 
small  sloops.  The  lofty  woods  growing  on  each 
side  of  the  canals,  make  very  pleasant  landscapes. 
The  land,  at  about  seven  or  eight  miles  from  the 
sea,  is  tolerably  high  ;  and  the  further  you  go  west- 
ward, the  more  it  rises,  till  at  about  one  hundred 
and  fifty  miles  distance  from  the  sea,  to  the  west, 
the  Cherokee  or  Appallachean  mountains  begin, 
which  are  so  high  that  the  snow  lies  upon  them  all 
the  year. 

This  ridge  of  mountains  nms  in  a  line  from  north 
to  south,  on  the  back  of  the  English  colonies  of 
Carolina  and  Virginia  ;  beginning  at  the  great  lakes 
of  Canada,  and  extending  south,  it  ends  in  the 
province  of  Georgia  at  about  two  hundred  miles 
from  the  bay  of  Appallachee,  which  is  part  of  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico.  There  is  a  plain  country  from 
the  foot  of  these  mountains  to  that  sea. 

The  face  of  the  country  is  mostly  covered  with 
woods.  The  banks  of  the  rivers  are  in  some  places 
low,  and  form  a  kind  of  natural  meadows,  where 


CAROLINA  AND  GEORGIA.  315 

the  floods  prevent  trees  from  growing.  In  other 
places,  in  the  hollows,  between  the  hillocks,  the 
brooks  and  streams,  being  stopt  hj  falls  of  trees,  or 
other  obstructions,  the  water  is  penned  back.  These 
places  are  often  covered  with  canes  and  thickets 
and  are  called,  in  the  corrnpted  American  dialect, 
swamps.  The  sides  of  the  hills  are  generally 
covered  witli  oaks  and  hickory,  or  wild  walnuts, 
cedar,  sassafras,  and  the  famous  laurel  tulip,  which 
is  esteemed  one  of  the  most  beautiful  trees  in  the 
world.  The  flat  tops  of  the  hillocks  are  all  covered 
with  groves  of  pine  trees,  with  plenty  of  grass 
growing  under  them,  and  so  free  from  underwood, 
that  you  may  gallop  a  horse  for  forty  or  fifty  miles 
an  end.  In  the  low  grounds  and  islands  in  the  river, 
there  are  cypress,  bay-trees,  poplar,  plane,  frankin- 
cense or  gum-trees,  and  aquatic  shrubs.  All  parts 
of  the  province  are  well  watered  ;  and,  in  digging 
a  moderate  depth,  you  never  miss  of  a  fine  spring. 

What  we  call  the  Atlantic  ocean,  washes  the 
east  and  southeast  coast  of  these  provinces.  The 
gulf  stream  of  Florida  sets  in  with  a  tide  in  the 
ocean  to  the  east  of  the  province ;  and  it  is  very 
remarkable  that  the  banks  and  soundings  of  the 
coast  extend  twenty  or  twenty-five  miles  to  the 
east  of  the  coast. 

The  tides  upon  this  coast  flow  generally  seven 


316  ACCOUNT   OF  GEORGIA. 

feet.  The  soundings  are  sand  or  ooze,  and  some 
oyster  banks,  but  no  rocks.  The  coast  appears  low 
from  the  sea,  and  covered  with  woods. 

Cape  Fear  is  a  point  which  runs  with  dreadful 
shoals  far  into  the  sea,  from  the  mouth  of  Clarendon 
river  in  North  Carolina.  Sullivan's  Island  and  the 
Coffin  land  are  the  marks  of  the  entry  into  Charles- 
town  harbor.  Hilton  head,  upon  French's  island, 
shows  the  entry  into  Port  Royal ;  and  the  point  of 
Tybee  island  makes  the  entry  of  the  Savannah 
river.  Upon  that  point  the  Trustees  for  Georgia 
have  erected  a  noble  signal  or  light-house,  ninety 
feet  high,  and  twenty-five  feet  wide.  It  is  an 
octagon,  and  upon  the  top  there  is  a  flag-staff  thirty 
feet  high. 

The  Province  of  Georgia  is  watered  by  three 
great  rivers,  which  rise  in  the  mountains,  namely, 
the  Alatamaha,  the  Ogechee,  and  the  Savannah  ; 
the  last  of  which  is  navigable  six  hundred  miles  for 
canoes,  and  three  hundred  miles  for  boats. 

The  British  dominions  are  divided  from  the.Span- 
ish  Florida  by  a  noble  river  called  St.  John's. 

These  rivers  fall  into  the  Atlantic  ocean  ;  but 
there  are,  besides  these,  the  Flint  and  the  Cahooche, 
which  pass  through  part  of  Carolina  or  Georgia, 
and  fall  into  the  gulf  of  Appellachee  or  Mexico. 

All  Carolina  is  divided  into  three  parts :  1 .  North 


ACCOUNT  OF  GEORGIA.  3]  7 

Carolina,  which  is  divided  from  South  Carolina  by 
Clarendon  river,  and  of  late  by  a  line  marked  out 
by  order  of  the  Council :  2.  South  Carolina,  which, 
on  the  south  is  divided  from  3.  Georgia  by  the 
river  Savannah.  Carolina  is  divided  into  several 
counties ;  but  in  Georgia  there  is  but  one  yet  erected, 
namely,  the  county  of  Savannah.  It  is  bounded, 
on  the  one  side,  by  the  river  Savannah,  on  the  other 
by  the  sea,  on  the  third  by  the  river  Ogechee,  on 
the  fourth  by  the  river  Ebenezer,  and  a  line  drawn 
from  the  river  Ebenezer  to  the  Ogechee.  In  this 
county  are  the  rivers  Vernon,  Little  Ogechee,  and 
Westbrook.  There  is  the  town  of  Savannah,  where 
there  is  a  seat  of  judicature,  consisting  of  three 
bailiffs  and  a  recorder.  It  is  situated  upon  the 
banks  of  the  river  of  the  same  name.  It  consists 
of  about  two  hundred  houses,  and  lies  upon  a  plain 
of  about  a  mile  wide  ;  the  bank  steep  to  the  river, 
forty-five  feet  perpendicularly  high.  The  streets 
are  laid  out  regular.  There  are  near  Savannah,  in 
the  same  county,  the  villages  of  Hampstead,  High- 
gate,  Skidoway,  and  Thunderbolt ;  the  latter  of 
which  is  a  translation  of  a  name  ;  their  fables  say 
that  a  thunderbolt  fell,  and  a  spring  thereupon  arose 
in  that  place,  which  still  smells  of  the  bolt.  This 
spring  is  impregnated  with  a  mixture  of  sulphur 
and  iron,  and  from   the  smell,  probably,  the  story 


318  ACCOUNT   OF  GEORGIA. 

arose.  Jn  tlie  same  county  is  Joseph's  town  and 
the  town  Ebenezer  ;  both  upon  the  river  Savannah  ; 
and  the  villages  of  Abercorn  and  Westbrook.  There 
are  saw  mills  erecting  on  the  river  Ebenezer  ;  and 
the  fort  Argjle,  lies  upon  the  pass  of  this  county  over 
the  Ogechee.  In  the  southern  divisions  of  the 
province  lies  the  town  of  Frederica,  with  its  dis- 
trict, where  there  is  a  court  with  three  bailiffs  and 
a  recorder.  It  lies  on  one  side  of  the  branches  of 
the  Alatamaha.  There  is,  also,  the  town  of  Darien, 
upon  the  same  river,  and  several  forts  upon  the 
proper  passes,  some  of  four  bastions,  some  are  only 
redoubts.  Besides  which  there  are  villages  in 
different  parts  of  Georgia.  At  Savannah  there  is 
a  public  store  house,  built  of  large  square  timbers. 
There  is  also  a  handsome  court  house,  guard  house, 
and  work  house.  The  church  is  not  yet  begun  ; 
but  materials  are  collecting,  and  it  is  designed  to 
be  a  handsome  edifice.  The  private  houses  are 
generally  sawed  timber,  framed,  and  covered  with 
shingles.  Many  of  them  are  painted,  and  most 
have  chimneys  of  brick.  At  Frederica  some  of  the 
houses  are  built  of  brick  ;  the  others  in  the  Province 
are  mostly  wood.  They  are  not  got  into  luxury  yet 
in  their  furniture  ;  having  only  what  is  plain  and 
needful.  The  winter  being  mild,  there  are  yet  but 
few  houses  with  glass  windows. 


INDIANS  OF  GEORGIA.  319 

The  Indians  are  a  manly,  well-shaped  race.  The 
men  tall,  the  women  little.  They,  as  the  ancient 
Grecians  did,  anoint  with  oil,  and  expose  themselves 
to  the  sun,  which  occasions  their  skins  to  be  brown 
of  color.  The  men  paint  themselves  of  various 
colors,  red,  blue,  yellow,  and  black.  The  men 
wear  generally  a  girdle,  with  a  piece  of  cloth  drawn 
through  their  legs  and  turned  over  the  girdle  both 
before  and  behind,  so  as  to  hide  their  nakedness. 
The  women  wear  a  kind  of  petticoat  to  the  knees. 
Both  men  and  women  in  the  winter  wear  mantles, 
something  less  than  two  yards  square,  which  they 
wrap  round  their  bodies,  as  the  Romans  did  their 
toga,  generally  keeping  their  arms  bare  ;  they  are 
sometimes  of  woolen,  bought  of  the  English  ;  some- 
times of  furs,  which  they  dress  themselves.  They 
wear  a  kind  of  pumps,  which  they  call  moccasons, 
made  of  deer-skin,  which  they  dress  for  that  pur- 
pose. They  are  a  generous,  good-natured  people  ; 
very  humane  to  strangers  ;  patient  of  want  and 
pain  ;  slow  to  anger,  and  not  easily  provoked,  but, 
when  they  are  thoroughly  incensed,  they  are  im- 
placable ;  very  quick  of  apprehension  and  gay  of 
temper.  Their  public  conferences  show  them  to 
be  men  of  genius,  and  they  have  a  natural  elo- 
quence, they  never  having  had  the  use  of  letters. 
They  love  eating,  and  the  English  have  taught 


320  INDIAN  CHARACTER. 

many  of  them  to  drink  strong  liquors,  which,  when 
they  do,  they  are  miserable  sights.  They  have  no 
manufactures  but  what  each  family  makes  for  its 
own  use  ;  they  seem  to  despise  working  for  hire, 
and  spend  their  time  chiefly  in  hunting  and  war ; 
but  plant  corn  enough  for  the  support  of  their  fami- 
lies and  the  strangers  that  come  to  visit  them. 
Their  food,  instead  of  bread,  is  flour  of  Indian  corn 
boiled,  and  seasoned  like  hasty-pudding,  and  this 
called  hommony.  They  also  boil  venison,  and  make 
broth  ;  they  also  roast,  or  rather  broil  their  meat. 
The  flesh  they  feed  on  is  buflalo,  deer,  wild  turkeys 
and  other  game  ;  so  that  hunting  is  necessary  to 
provide  flesh;  and  planting  for  corn.  The  land^ 
belongs  to  the  women,  and  the  corn  that  grows 
upon  it ;  but  meat  must  be  got  by  the  men,  because 
it  is  they  only  that  hunt :  this  makes  marriage  neces- 
sary, that  the  women  may  furnish  corn,  and  the  men 
meat.  They  have  also  fruit-trees  in  their  gardens, 
namely,  peaches,  nectarines,  and  locust,  melons, 
and  water-melons,  potatoes,  pumpkins,  onions,  &c. 
in  plenty ;  and  many  kinds  of  wild  fruits,  and 
nuts,  as  persimons,  grapes,  chinquepins,  and  hickory 
nuts,  of  which  they  make  oil.  The  bees  make 
their  combs  in  the  hollow  trees,  and  the  Indians 

'  That  is  the  homestead. 


ACCOUNT  OF  GEORGIA.  321 

find  plenty  of  honey  there,  which  they  use  instead 
of  sugar.  They  make,  what  supplies  the  place  of 
salt,  of  wood  ashes ;  use  for  seasoning,  long- pepper, 
which  grows  in  their  gardens ;  and  bay-leaves  sup- 
ply their  want  of  spice.  Their  exercises  are  a 
kind  of  ball-playing,  hunting,  and  running  ;  and 
they  are  very  fond  of  dancing.  Their  music  is  a 
kind  of  drum,  as  also  hollow  cocoa-nut  shells.  They 
have  a  square  in  the  middle  of  their  towns,  in  which 
the  warriors  sit,  converse,  and  smoke  together ;  but 
in  rainy  weather  they  meet  in  the  King's  house. 
They  are  a  very  healthy  people,  and  have  hardly 
any  diseases,  except  those  occasioned  by  the  drink- 
ing of  rum,  and  the  small  pox.  Those  who  do  not 
drink  rum  are  exceedingly  long-lived.  Old  Brim, 
emperor  of  the  Creeks,  who  died  but  a  few  years 
ago,  lived  to  one  hundred  and  thirty  years ;  and  he 
was  neither  blind  nor  bed-rid,  till  some  months 
before  his  death.  They  have  sometimes  pleurisies 
and  fevers,  but  no  chronical  distempers.  They 
know  of  several  herbs  that  have  great  virtues  in 
physic,  particularly  for  the  cure  of  venomous  bites 
and  wounds. 

The  native  animals  are,  first  the  urus  or  zorax 
described  by  Caesar,  which  the  English  very  igno- 
rantly  and  erroneously  call  the  buifalo.  They  have 
deer,  of  several  kinds,  and  plenty  of  roe-bucks  and 

41 


322  ACCOUNT  OF  GEORGIA. 

rabbits.  There  are  bears  and  wolves,  which  are 
small  and  timorous ;  and  a  brown  wild-cat,  without 
spots,  which  is  very  improperly  called  a  tiger  ;  otter, 
beavers,  foxes,  and  a  species  of  badger  which  is 
called  raccoon.  There  is  great  abundance  of  wild 
fowls,  namely,  wild-turkey,  partridges,  doves  of 
various  kinds,  wild-geese,  ducks,  teals,  cranes, 
herons  of  many  kinds  not  known  in  Europe.  There 
are  great  varieties  of  eagles  and  hawks,  and  great 
numbers  of  small  birds,  particularly  the  rice-bird, 
which  is  very  like  the  ortolan.  There  are  rattle- 
snakes, but  not  near  so  frequent  as  is  generally  re- 
ported. There  are  several  species  of  snakes,  some 
of  which  are  not  venomous.  There  are  crocodiles, 
porpoises,  sturgeon,  mullet,  cat-fish,  bass,  drum, 
devil-fish ;  and  many  species  of  fresh-water  fish 
that  we  have  not  in  Europe ;  and  oysters  upon  the 
sea-islands  in  great  abundance. 

What  is  most  troublesome,  there,  are  flies  and 
gnats,  which  are  very  numerous  near  the  rivers ; 
but,  as  the  country  is  cleared,  they  disperse  and  go 
away. 

The  vegetables  are  innumerable  ;  for  all  that 
grow  in  Europe,  grow  there  ;  and  many  that  can- 
not stand  in  our  winters  thrive  there. 


APPENDIX. 


This  portion  of  the  work  contains  additional  notes,  original 
documents,  and  notices  of  some  of  the  distinguished  friends 
of  Oglethorpe. 


APPENDIX. 


No.  I.  — Page    1. 

FAMILY    OF    OGLETHORPE. 

The  following  genealogical  memoranda  are  taken  princi- 
pally, from  a  note  in  Nichols's  Literary  Anecdotes  of  the 
Eighteenth  Century,  Vol.  II.  p.  17,  on  his  having  given  the 
title  of  a  book  ascribed  to  the  subject  of  the  foregoing  memoir. 

"  This  truly  respectable  gentleman  was  the  descendant  of  a 
family  very  anciently  situated  at  Oglethorpe,  in  the  parish  of 
Bramham,  in  the  West  Riding  of  the  County  of  York ;  one  of 
whom  was  actually  Reeve  of  the  County  (an  office  nearly  the 
same  with  that  of  the  present  high-sheriff)  at  the  time  of  the 
Norman  Conquest.  The  ancient  seat  of  Oglethorpe  continued 
in  the  family  till  the  Civil  Wars,  when  it  was  lost  for  their 
loyalty ;  and  several  of  the  same  name  died  at  once  in  the 
bed  of  honor  in  the  defence  of  monarchy,  in  a  battle  near 
Oxford. 

"  William  Oglethorpe,  (son  of  William)  was  born  in  1588. 
He  married  Susanna,  daughter  of  Sir  William  Sutton,  Knight, 
and  sister  to  Lord  Lexington.     He  died  in  November,  1634  ; 


326  FAMILY  OF  OGLETHORPE. 

leaving  two  children,  Sutton,  born  1612,  and  Dorothy  (who 
afterwards  married  the  Marquis  of  Byron,  a  French  nobleman,) 
born  1620. 

"  Sutton  Oglethorpe,  being  fined  .£20,000  by  the  Parliament, 
his  estates  at  Oglethorpe,  and  elsewhere,  were  sequestered, 
and  afterwards  given  to  General  Fairfax,  who  sold  them  to 
Robert  Benson  of  Bramham,  father  of  Lord  Bingley  of  that 
name.  Sutton  Oglethorpe  had  two  sons,  Sutton,  and  Sir 
Theophilus.  Sutton  was  Stud-master  to  King  Charles  IL  ;  and 
had  three  sons,  namely,  Sutton,  Page  to  King  Charles  II.  ; 
John,  Cornet  of  the  Guards  ;  and  Joseph,  who  died  in  India. 

"  Sir  Theophilus  was  born  in  1652 ;  and  was  bred  to  arms. 
He  fought,  under  the  Duke  of  Monmouth,  in  the  affair  at 
Bothwell  bridge,  where  a  tumultary  insurrection  of  the  Scots 
was  suppressed,  June  22,  1679.  He  commanded  a  party  of 
horse  at  Sedgmoor  fight,  where  the  Duke  was  defeated,  July 
6,  1685  ;  and  was  Lieutenant  Colonel  to  the  Duke  of  York's 
troop  of  his  Majesty's  horse-guards,  and  Commissioner  for 
executing  the  office  of  Master  of  the  Horse  to  King  Charles 
II.  He  was  afterwards  first  Equerry  and  Major  General  of 
the  army  of  King  James  II.  ;  and  suffered  banishment  with 
his  Royal  Master."  After  his  return  to  his  native  country  he 
purchased  a  seat  in  the  County  of  Surrey,  called  "  the  West- 
brook  place,"  near  adjoining  the  town  of  Godalming;  a  beau- 
tiful situation,  in  a  fine  country.  It  stands  on  the  slope  of  a 
hill,  at  the  foot  of  which  are  meadows  watered  by  the  river 
Wey.  It  commands  the  view  of  several  hills,  running  in  differ- 
ent directions  ;  their  sides  laid  out  in  corn  fields,  interspersed 
with  hanging  woods.  Behind  it  is  a  small  park,  well  wooded  ; 
and  one  side  is  a  capacious  garden  fronting  the  south-east. 

Sir  Theophilus  was  for  several  years  a  member  of  Parlia- 


FAMILY  OF  OGLETHORPE.  327 

ment  for  Haslemere,  a  small  borough  in  the  south-west  angle 
of  the  county  of  Surrey.  This  place  was,  afterwards,  in  the 
reigns  of  Anne,  George  L,  and  George  IL,  successively  repre- 
sented by  his  three  sons,  Lewis,  Theophilus,  and  James.  He 
died  April  10,  1702,  as  appears  by  a  pedigree  in  the  collection 
of  the  late  J.  C.  Brooke,  Esq.,  though  the  following  inscription 
in  the  parish  church  of  St.  James,  Westminster,  where  he 
was  buried,  has  a  year  earlier.  —  "Hie  jacet  Theophilus 
Oglethorpe,  Eques  auratus,  ab  atavo  Vice-comite  Eborum, 
Normanno  victore,  ducens  originem.  Cujus  armis  ad  pontem 
Bothwelliensem,  succubuit  Scotus  •  necnon  Sedgmoriensi 
palude  fusi  Rebellos.  Qui,  per  varies  casus  et  rerum  discrim- 
ina,  magnanimum  erga  Principem  et  Patriam  fidem,  sed  non 
temere,  sustinuit.     Obiit  Londini  anno  1701,  cetat.  50." 

Sir  Theophilus  married  Eleanora  Wall,  of  a  respectable 
family  in  Ireland,  by  whom  he  had  four  sons  and  five  daugh- 
ters ;  namely,  Lewis,  Theophilus,  Sutton,  and  James  ;  Elea- 
nora, Henrietta,  Mary,  and  Frances-Charlotte. 

I.  Lewis,  born  February,  1680-1  ;  admitted  into  Corpus 
Christi  College,  in  the  University  of  Oxford,  March  16,  1698-9. 
He  was  Equerry  to  Queen  Anne,  and  afterwards  Aid-de-camp 
to  the  Duke  of  Marlborough ;  and,  in  1702,  member  of  Par- 
liament for  Haslemere.  Having  been  mortally  wounded  in 
the  battle  of  Schellenburgh,  on  the  24th  October,  1704,  he 
died  on  the  30th. 

The  following  inscription  to  his  memory  is  placed  below 
that  of  Sir  Theophilus. 

"  Hujus  claudlt  latus  LuDovicus  Oglethorpe,  tam  paternse 
virtutis,  quam  fortunre,  haeres  ;  qui,  proelio  Schellenbergensi 
victoria  Hockstatensis  preludio  tempestivum  suis  inclinantibus 
ferens  auxilium  vulnere  honestissima  accepit,  et  prfeclarae  spe 
Indolis  frustrata.  —  Ob.  XXII  aetatis,  Anno  Dom.  1704. 


328  FAMILY  OF  OGLETHORPE. 

"  Charissimo  utriusque  marmor  hoc,  amantissima  conjux  et 
mater  possuit,  Domina  Eleonora  Oglethorpe." 

n.  Theophilus,  born  1682.  He  was  Aid-de-camp  to  the 
Duke  of  Ormond  ;  and  member  of  Parliament  for  Haslemere 
in  1708  and  1710.  The  time  of  his  death  is  not  recorded. 
He  must  have  died  young. 

in.  Eleonora,  born  1684 ;  married  the  Marquis  de  Me- 
zieres  on  the  5th  of  March,  1707-8,  and  deceased  June  28, 
1775,  aged  91.  The  son  of  this  lady  was  heir  to  the  estate  of 
General  Oglethorpe.  He  is  mentioned,  in  the  correspondence 
of  Mr.  Jefferson,  as  highly  meritorious  and  popular  in  France, 
(1785.) 

IV.  Ann  [mentioned  in  Shaftoe's  narrative.] 

V.  Sutton,  born  1686  ;  and  died  in  November,  1693. 

VI.  Henrietta,  [of  whom  we  have  no  account.] 

VII.  James,  [see  the  next  article.] 

VIII.  Frances-Charlotte Married  the  Marquis  de 

Bellegarde,  a  Savoyard.'  To  a  son  of  this  union  is  a  letter  of 
General  Washington,  dated  January  15,  1790,  in  the  9th  vol- 
ume of  Sparks's  Writings  of  Washington^  p.  70. 

IX.  Mary,  who  died  single. 

The  arms  of  the  family  are  thus  described  :  "  Argent,  a 
chevron,  between  three  boar's  heads,  erased,  sable  armed,  or, 
lingued  proper." 

Crest.  "  A  boar's  head,  as  before,  holding  an  oaken 
branch,  vert,  fructed  or." 

'   Gentleman's  Magazine,  Vol.  LVIL  p.  1183. 


BIRTH-DAY  OF  OGLETHORPE.  329 

II.— Page  2. 

DISCUSSION    RESPECTING    THE    BIRTH-DAY    OF    OGLETHORPE. 

There  are  great  difficulties  in  ascertaining  the  age  of  Ogle- 
thorpe. The  newspapers,  soon  after  his  decease,  in  1785, 
and  the  Gentleviari's  and  London  Magazine,  contain  several 
articles  about  it. 

While  these  inquiries,  investigations,  and  statements  were 
going  the  round  of  all  the  periodicals  of  the  day,  it  is  unac- 
countably strange  that  the  family  did  not  produce  the  desired 
rectification,  and  yet  more  surprising  that  in  the  inscription 
on  the  monument  erected  to  his  memory  by  his  widow,  and 
which  was  drawn  up  by  her  request,  she  should  not  have 
furnished  the  writer  with  the  date  of  his  birth,  and  the  years 
of  age  to  which  he  had  ai-rived. 

The  London  Gazette,  first  announcing  his  death,  stated  it 
one  hundred  and  four  years.  The  Westminster  Magazine  for 
July  1785,  (a  periodical  published  in  the  very  neighborhood  of 
the  old  family  mansion,)  in  the  monthly  notice  of  deaths,  has, 
"  June  30th,  General  Oglethorpe,  aged  102.  He  was  the 
oldest  general  in  England."  And  I  have  a  fine  engraved 
portrait  of  him  taken  in  February  preceding  his  decease,  on 
which  is  inscribed  "  he  died  30th  of  June,  1785,  aged  102." 
A  "writer  in  the  Gentleman's  Magazine  for  September,  1785, 
p.  701,  who  was  one  of  the  first  emigrants  to  Georgia,  and 
personally  and  intimately  acquainted  with  the  General,  de- 
clares that  "  he  lived  to  be  near  a  hundred  years  old,  but  was 
not  one  hundred  and  two,  as  has  been  asserted." 

In  the  Biographical  Memoir  of  him  in  the  8th  volume  of 
the  European  Magazine ;  in  Nichols's  Anecdotes  of  Literature, 
and  in  McCall's  History  of  Georgia,  his  birth  is  said  to  have 
42 


330  BIRTH-DAY  OF  OGLETHORPE. 

been  in  1698  ;  and  yet  it  is  asserted  by  the  best  authorities, 
that  he  bore  the  military  rank  of  Ensign  in  1710,  when,  ac- 
cording to  their  date  of  his  nativity,  he  could  have  been  but 
twelve  years  of  age ;  and  this  before  his  entering  College  at 
Oxford. 

Again,  some  make  him  Captain  Lieutenant  in  the  first 
troop  of  the  Queen's  Guards  in  1714  ;  the  same  year  that 
others  put  him  to  College.  According  to  such  statements,  he 
must  on  both  these  military  advancements,  have  been  of  an 
age  quite  too  juvenile  for  military  service,  and  more  so  for 
military  rank.  And  yet,  to  account  for  his  obtaining  such 
early,  and,  indeed,  immature  promotion,  the  writers  suggest 
that  "  he  withdrew  precipitately  from  the  sphere  of  his  edu- 
cation." But  I  see  no  reason  for  supposing  that  he  left  the 
University  before  he  had  completed  the  usual  term  of  resi- 
dence for  obtaining  a  degree  ;  though  he  did  not  obtain  that 
of  Master  of  Arts  till  the  31st  of  July,  1731.' 

Prior,  in  The  Life  of  Goldsmith,  page  457,  expressly  says 
that  Oglethorpe,  "  after  being  educated  at  Oxford,  served  un- 
Prince  Eugene  against  the  Turks." 

Again.  Croker  has  a  long  note  upon  a  passage  in  Bos- 
well's  Life  of  Johnson,  II.  p.  173,  to  invalidate  a  narative  of 
Oglethorpe's  respecting  a  writing  of  Colonel  Sir  Thomas  Pren- 
dergast,  who  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Malplaquet,  on  the 

'  See  Catalogue  of  Oxford  Graduates. 

'  About  this  time  he  presented  a  manuscript  French  paraphrase 
of  the  Bible,  in  two  folio  volumes,  finely  illuminated,  to  the  library 
of  Corpus  Christ!  College  in  Oxford.  "  The  gift  of  James  Ogle- 
thorpe, Esq.,  Member  of  Parliament."  Gvtck's  Appendix  to  Wood^s 
History  and  Antiquities  of  the  Colleges  and  Halls  in  the  University  of 
Oxford. 


BIRTH-DAY  OF  OGLETHORPE.  33 J 

31st  of  August,  1709,  which  thus  concludes  :  "  At  the  battle 
of  Malplaquet,  Oglethorpe  was  only  eleven  years  old.  Is  it 
likely  that  Oglethorpe,  at  the  age  of  eleven  years^  was  present 
at  Pope's  interview  with  Colonel  Cecil  ?  And,  even  if  he 
were,  what  credit  is  to  be  given  to  the  recollections,  after  the 
lapse  of  sixty-three  years,  of  what  a  boy  of  eleven  heard  ?  "  ' 
In  reply  to  this,  I  would  observe,  that  it  is  not  even  proba- 
ble, as  this  statement  would  imply,  that  the  interview  of  Pope 
with  Colonel  Cecil  was  directly  after  the  battle.  There  might 
have  been  intervening  years.  Moreover,  Croker  goes  upon 
the  presumption  that  the  birth  of  Oglethorpe  was  in  1698. 
Now,  to  assign  his  birth  to  that  year  would  make  him  only 
eighty-seven  years  old  when  he  died  ;  but  Dr.  Lettsom,  in  "  a 
letter  on  prisons,"  in  the  Gcntleman''s  Magazine,  Vol.  LXXI. 
p.  21,  has  this  remark  :  "  I  spent  an  evening,  which  agreeably 
continued  till  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  with  the  late  Gen- 
eral Oglethorpe,  when  this  veteran  was  in  the  ninety-sixth 
year  of  his  age  ;  who  told  me,  that  he  planted  Georgia  chiefly 
from  prisons."  And  Hannah  More  writes  of  being  in  compa- 
ny with  him  when  he  was  much  above  ninety  years  of  age. 
He  was,  therefore,  born  before  1698.  And,  finally,  the  record 
of  his  admission  into  Corpus  Christi  College,  at  Oxford,  decides 
the  matter  beyond  all  controversy  ;  and,  by  certifying  his  age 
to  be  sixteen,  proves  that  he  was  born  in  sixteen  hundred  and 
eighty-eight.  For  the  month  and  day,  I  receive  the  testimony 
of  William  Stephens,  Esq.,  Secretary  for  the  affairs  of  the 
Trustees  in  Georgia,  in  the  first  volume  of  his  Journal.  On 
Thursday,  December,  21st,   [1738,]  he  makes  this  record. 

'  Croker  means  that  the  time  when  Oglethorpe  told  the  story  to 
Dr.  Johnson  was  sixty-three  years  after  the  battle  of  Malplaquet, 
when  the  event  referred  to  took  place. 


332  BIRTH-DAY   OF  OGLETHORPE. 

"  Another  heavy  rahi  of  all  last  night,  and  this  whole  day's 
continuance  ;  which,  whatever  impediments  it  might  occasion 
to  our  other  affairs,  was  no  hindrance  to  our  celebration  of 
the  GeneraVs  birth-day,  as  had  been  always  the  custom  hith- 
erto ;  and  in  the  very  same  manner  as  we  did  last  year,  under 
the  discharge  of  cannon,  &c."  And  McCall,  who  has  named 
December  21st,  says,  "  I  am  indebted  to  the  Encyclopedia 
Perthensis,  and  to  the  Journal  of  a  private  gentleman  in 
Georgia,  where  his  birth-day  was  celebrated,  for  the  date 
which  I  have  inserted."  ' 

This  assignment  will  tally  with  the  other  dates  and  their  at- 
tendant circumstances  ;  allow  time,  with  becoming  propriety, 
for  finishing  his  education  at  the  University  ;  and  show  that 
he  was  not  so  precocious  a  soldier  as  has  been  represented, 
but  that,  instead  of  the  juvenile  age  of  eleven,  he  entered  the 
army  at  the  manly  age  of  iwenly-one. 

Memorandum.  This  attempt  to  ascertain  the  exact  age  of 
Oglethorpe,  was  written  in  1837.  I  have,  since  then,  received 
the  following  letter,  dated  London,  October  2d,  1840. 

"  My  Dear  Sir. 

In  compliance  with  your  request,  I  have  been,  this  morning, 
to  the  vestry  of  St.  James,  Westminster,  where  I  examined 
the  record  of  Oglethorpe's  baptism,  of  which  the  following  is 
an  exact  copy  in  substance  and  form. 


Bapt. 
2. 


June  1689 

James  Oglethorpe  of  Sir  Theophilus  and 

his  lady  Elinor,    b.  1. 


I  certify   that  tlie  above  is  a  true  extract  from  the  Reg- 
'  History  of  Geor!:;ia,  Vol.  I.  p.  321. 


BIRTH-DAY  OF  OGLETHORPE.  333 

ister  Book  of  Baptisms  belonging  to  the  Parish  of  St.  James, 
Westminster. 

J.  G.  GiFFORD,  Preacher  and  Assistant. 

"  Hence  it  appears  that  Oglethorpe  was  born  on  theirs/  of 
June,  16S9,  and  baptized  on  the  second.  I  was  assured  by 
Mr.  Giffbrd  that  this  is  the  true  meaning  of  the  record ;  and 
I  observed  in  the  Register  Book  that  other  names  were  record- 
ed in  like  manner.  There  were  several  other  baptisms  the 
same  day,  with  different  days  of  birth. 

Most  truly  your  friend  and  obedient  servant, 

Jared  Sparks." 

This  will  be  deemed  decisive ;  though  to  me  not  entirely 
satisfactory.  I  think  I  see  cause  for  questioning  the  "  b.  1." 
not  their  imjjort,  but  their  correctness  :  occasioned  either  for 
family  reasons,  or  that  the  date  given  at  the  font  either  was 
not  distinctly  heard  by  the  officiating  clergyman,  or  misre- 
membered  at  the  time  when  the  entry  was  made  in  the  Book. 
Besides,  there  would  seem  no  occasion  for  the  presentation  so 
immediately  after  the  birth  ;  for,  according  to  custom,  it  is 
very  unusual  before  the  eighth  day.  On  the  other  hand,  from 
the  statement  of  Nichols,  Vol.  II.  p.  19,  that  of  the  children 
of  Sir  Theophilus,  "  the  five  eldest  were  born  at  St.  James, 
London,"  we  may  infer  that  James,  who  was  the  sixth  in  the 
order  of  births  in  the  family,  was  born  at  Godalming.  This 
is  proved,  also,  by  Shaftoe's  narrative,  which  mentions  the 
going  down  of  the  mother  to  London,  in  consequence  of  the 
sickness  and  death  of  one  of  the  nurslings.  Now,  though 
the  main  statement  of  that  document  may  not  be  true,  such 
an  incidental  circumstance  as  this,  which  has  no  direct  bear- 
ing on  "the  vexed  question,"  may  be  admitted.     If,  there- 


334  EARL  OF  PETERBOROUGH. 

fore,  born  at  Godalming,  he  could  not  be  taken  to  London,  for 
baptism,  on  the  day  after  his  birth.  And,  admitting  that  his 
nativity  was  on  the  21st  of  December,  the  season  of  the  year 
alone  would  be  sufficient  reason  for  deferring  the  public  cer- 
emony till  after  the  inclement  weather,  and  the  opportunity 
favored  for  having  it  in  the  Parish  Church,  where  all  the  other 
children  had  been  baptized. 

After  all,  the  fact  that  on  the  ni7ith  of  July,  seventeen  hun- 
dred and  four,  he  was  sixteen  years  old,  as  is  testified  on  the 
Record  of  his  admission  into  College,  is  incompatible  with  the 
date  of  June  1st,  1689,  for  the  day  of  his  birth,  but  consistent 
with  that  of  December  21st,  1688. 

To  adjust  all  these  discrepancies  respecting  the  time  of  his 
birth,  and  others  of  the  time  of  his  death,  one  needs  the  in- 
genuity of  the  Benedictins  of  St.  Maur,  who  published  a  4to 
volume  with  this  title  :  "  Uart  de  verifier  les  dates  des fails 
historiques.'''' 

III.  —  Page  4. 

Charles  Mordaunt,  Earl  of  Peterhorough.  This  great 
man  died  on  his  passage  to  Lisbon,  25th  of  October,  1735, 
aged  77.  To  bravery  and  heroism,  he  added  a  penetrating 
genius  and  a  mind  highly  polished  and  well  instructed  in 
ancient  and  modern  literature,  as  his  Familiar  Epistles,  pre- 
served among  those  of  his  friend  Pope,  fully  evince. 

Of  Rev.  George  Berkeley,  D.  D.,  the  celebrated  Dean  of 
Derry,  and  afterwards  Bishop  of  Cloyne,  I  give  the  following 
particulars. 

His  learning  and  virtues,  his  lively  and  agreeable  con- 
versation, introduced  him, to  the  acquaintance,  and  procur- 
ed  him   the    esteem    and   friendship   of    many    great   and 


DEAN  BERKELEY.  335 

learned  men,  and  among  others  the  Earl  of  Peterborough, 
who  made  him  his  Chaplain,  and  took  him  as  a  compan- 
ion on  a  tour  of  Europe  in  1714-15.  Soon  after  his  re- 
turn, the  Dean  published  a  proposal  for  the  better  supply- 
ing of  the  churches  in  the  American  Plantations  with  Cler- 
gymen, and  for  instructing  and  converting  the  savages  to 
Christianity,  by  erecting  a  College  in  Bermuda.  The  first 
branch  of  this  design  appeared  to  him  in  the  light  of  impor- 
tance ;  but  his  principal  view  was  to  train  up  a  competent 
number  of  young  Indians,  in  succession,  to  be  employed  as 
missionaries  among  the  various  tribes  of  Indians.  It  appeared 
to  be  a  matter  of  very  material  consequence,  that  persons 
should  be  employed  in  this  service  who  were  acquainted  with 
the  language  necessary  to  be  used  ;  and  he  had  also  a  strong 
persuasion  that  such  missionaries  as  he  proposed  would  be 
much  better  received  by  the  savages  than  those  of  European 
extraction.  These  Indian  lads  were  to  be  obtained  from  the 
different  tribes  in  the  fairest  manner,  and  to  be  fed,  clothed 
and  instructed  at  the  expense  of  the  Institution. 

The  scheme,  for  some  time,  met  with  all  the  encourage- 
ment that  was  due  to  so  benevolent  a  proposal.  The  King 
granted  a  charter  ;  and  the  Parliament  voted  a  very  consid- 
erable sum  to  be  obtained  from  the  sale  of  lands  in  St.  Chris- 
tophers. Such  a  prospect  of  success  in  the  favorite  object  of 
his  heart,  drew  from  Berkeley  some  beautiful  verses,  "  in 
which,"  a  writer  of  the  day  remarks,  "  another  age,  perhaps, 
will  acknowledge  the  old  conjunction  of  the  'prophetic  char- 
acter with  that  of  the  poetic,  to  have  again  taken  place." 

In  Consequence  of  this  encouragement,  he  resigned  his  rich 
Deanry  ;  and  in  execution  of  his  noble  design,  embarked  in 
the  latter  part  of  Autumn,  1728  ;  his  lady  and  her  sister  ac- 


336  DEAN  BERKELEY. 

companying  him  ;  and  arrived  at  Newport,  in  Rhode  Island, 
in  February  following.  This  situation  he  pitched  upon  with  a 
view  of  settling  a  correspondence  there  for  supplying  his  Col- 
lege. He  purchased  a  country-seat  and  farm  in  the  neigh- 
borhood, where  he  resided  about  two  years  and  a  half.  His 
residence  in  this  country  had  some  influence  on  the  progress 
of  literature,  particularly  in  Rhode  Island  and  Connecticut. 
The  presence  and  conversation  of  a  man  so  illustrious  for 
talents,  learning,  virtue,  and  social  attractions,  could  not  fail 
of  giving  a  spring  to  the  literary  diligence  and  ambition  of 
many  who  enjoyed  his  acquaintance. 

Finding,  at  length,  that  the  promised  aid  of  the  ministry 
towards  his  College  would  fail  him,  he  embarked  at  Boston  in 
September  1731,  on  his  return  to  England.  At  his  departure 
he  distributed  the  books  which  he  had  brought  with  him, 
among  the  Clergy  of  Rhode  Island.  He  sent,  as  a  gift  to 
Yale  College,  a  deed  of  his  farm  ;  and  afterwards  made  a 
present  to  its  Library  of  about  a  thousand  volumes. 

Immediately  after  his  arrival  in  London,  he  returned  all  the 
private  subscriptions  that  had  been  advanced  for  the  support 
of  his  undertaking. 

The  fund,  which  had  been  calculated  upon  for  his  College, 
had  been  chiefly  appropriated  as  a  marriage  portion  of  the 
Princess  Ann,  on  her  nuptials  with  the  Prince  of  Orange. 
There  remained,  however,  .£10,000,  which  General  Ogle- 
thorpe had  interest  enough  in  Parliament  to  obtain  for  the 
purpose  of  carrying  over  and  settling  foreign  and  other  Pro- 
testants in  his  new  Colony  of  Georgia  in  America  ; '  "  having 
first  paid  Dean  Berkeley  the  compliment  of  asking  his  consent 

'  See  Journal  of  the  House  of  Commons,  May  10,  1733. 


DEAN  BERKELEY.  337 

to  the  application  foi*  the  money,  before  he  moved  for  it  in 
Parliament." 

He  passed  the  latter  part  of  his  life  at  Oxford  ;  and  deceased 
January  14th,  1753,  aged  74. 

The  character  of  this  worthy  prelate  was  expressed  in  few 
words  by  Bishop  Atterbury,  who,  having  heard  much  of  him, 
wished  to  see  him.  Accordingly,  he  was  one  day  introduced 
to  him  by  the  Earl  of  Berkeley.  After  some  time,  Mr.  Berke- 
ley quitted  the  room ;  on  which  the  Earl  said  to  the  Bishop, 
"  Does  my  cousin  answer  your  Lordship's  expectations  .-'  " 
The  Bishop,  lifting  up  his  hands  in  astonishment,  replied, 
"  So  much  understanding,  so  much  knowledge,  so  much  inno- 
cence, and  such  humility,  I  did  not  think  had  been  the  portion 
of  any  but  angels,  till  I  saw  this  gentleman." 

Mr.  Pope  sums  up  Bishop  Berkeley's  character  in  one  line. 
After  mentioning  some  particular  virtues  that  distinguished 
other  Prelates,  he  ascribes 

"  To  Berkeley  every  virtue  under  heaven." 

I  close  these  memoirs  of  the  early  companion,  and  conge- 
nial and  lasting  friend  of  Oglethorpe,  with  the  verses  referred 
to,  written  by  him. 


ON  THE  PROSPECT  OF  ARTS  AND  SCIENCES  IN  AMERICA. 

The  muse,  disgusted  at  an  age  and  time, 

Barren  of  every  glorious  tiieme, 
In  distant  lands  now  waits  a  better  clime, 

Producing  subjects  worthy  fame. 
43 


338  BERKELEY'S  POEM. 

In  happy  climes,  where  from  the  genial  sun 
And  virgin  earth  such  scenes  ensue, 

The  force  of  art  by  nature  seems  outdone, 
And  fancied  beauties  by  the  true  : 

In  happy  climes,  the  seat  of  innocence, 
Where  nature  guides  and  virtue  rules  ; 

Where  men  shall  not  impose,  for  truth  and  sense, 
The  pedantry  of  courts  and  schools : 

There  shall  be  seen  another  golden  age. 
The  rise  of  empire  and  of  arts  ; 

The  good  and  great  inspiring  epic  page, 
The  wisest  heads  and  noblest  hearts. 

Not  feuch  as  Europe  breeds  in  her  decay, 
Such  as  she  bred  when  fresh  and  young, 

When  heavenly  flame  did  animate  her  clay, 
By  future  ages  shall  be  sung. 

Westward  the  course  of  empire  takes  its  way,  — 

The  four  first  acts  already  past, 
A  fifth  shall  close  the  drama  with  the  day,  — 

Time's  noblest  offspring  is  the  last. 


IV.  — Page  10. 

REFERENCE    TO   DEBATES    IN   THE    BRITISH    HOUSE    OF  COMMONS   IN 
WHICH    OGLETHORPE    TOOK    A    PART. 

[See  History  and  Proceedings  of  the  House  of  Commons.'] 

Against  the  banishment  of  Francis  Atterbury,  Bishop  of 
Rochester.     April  6,  1723. 
On  ecclesiastical  benefices. 
On  the  preference  of  a  militia  to  a  standing  army. 


I 


SPEECHES  IN  PARLIAMENT.  339 

Plea  in  behalf  of  the  persecuted  Protestants  in  Germany. 
January,  1731-2. 

On  the  bill  for  the  better  securing  and  encouraging  the  trade 
of  the  sugar  Colonies,     January  28,  1732. 

On  the  petition  of  Sir  Thomas  Lombe  relating  to  his  silk- 
winding  machine. 

On  the  petition  from  the  proprietors  of  the  Charitable  Cor- 
poration, complaining  of  the  mismanagement  of  their  directors, 
&c.     February,  1732. 

On  a  second  reading  of  the  sugar  colony  bill. 

On  the  motion  for  an  address  of  thanks  in  answer  to  the 
King's  speech.  January  27,  1734.  [His  speech  fills  more 
than  three  pages.] 

On  the  motion  in  the  grand  committee  on  the  supply  for 
granting  thirty  thousand  men  for  the  sea  service  for  the  year 
1735.  February  7th,  1734-5.  [This  speech  fills  six  pages 
and  a  half.] 

Affainst  committing  the  bill  for  limiting  the  number  of 
officers  in  the  House  of  Commons. 

On  Sir  J.  Barnard's  motion  for  taking  ofT  such  taxes  as  are 
burdensome  to  the  poor  and  the  manufacturers. 

Against  the  act  for  disabling  Alexander  Wilson,  Esq.,  from 
the  holding  office,  &c. 

On  the  petition,  in  1747,  of  the  United  Brethren  to  have  the 
Act  for  naturalizing  foreigners  in  North  America,  extended 
to  them  and  other  settlers  who  made  a  scruple  of  performing 
military  service. 

On  another  petition  of  the  United  Brethren  presented  20th 
of  February,  1749. 

[All  the  speeches  in  both  Houses  of  Parliament  on  each  of 
these  petitions,  were  printed  in  the  Universal  Magazine  for 
the  months  of  April  and  May,  1749.] 


340  PRISON-VISITING  COMMITTEE. 

He  spoke  on  other  occasions,  to  liave  indicated  which  would 
have  required  more  research  than  I  could  spare. 


v.  — Page  11. 

PRISON-VISITING    COMMITTEE. 

This  committee  consisted  of  the  following  gentlemen  : 
James  Oglethorpe,  Esquire,  Chairman, 
The  Right  Honorable  the  Lord  Finch, 
The  Right  Honorable  Lord  Percival, 
Sir  Robert  Sutton,  Knight  of  the  Bath, 
Sir  Robert  Clifton,  Knight  of  the  Bath, 
Sir  Abraham  Elton,  Baronet, 
Sir  Gregory  Page,  Baronet^ 
Sir  Edmund  Knatchbull,  Baronet, 
Vultus  Cornwall,  Esquire, 
General  Wade, 
Humphry  Parsons,  Esquire, 
Captain  Vernon, 
Robert  Byng,  Esquire, 
Judge  Advocate  Hughes. 

On  Thursday,  the  27th  of  February,  they  went  to  the  Fleet 
prison  to  examine  into  the  state  of  that  gaol,  in  order  for  the 
relief  of  the  insolvent  debtors,  &c.,  when  the  irons  were 
ordered  to  be  taken  off  Sir  William  Rich,  Baronet,  The  next 
day,  the  same  committee  went  a  second  time  to  the  Fleet 
prison,  where,  upon  complaint  made  to  them  that  Sir  William 
Rich  was  again  put  in  irons,  they  made  report  thereof  to  the 
House  of  Commons,  who  thereupon  ordered  Mr.  Bambridge, 
the  warden  of  the  Fleet,  to  be  taken  into  the  custody  of  their 
sergeant  at  arms. 


REPORT  OF  THE   COMMITTEE.  341 

"  On  Thursday,  the  20th  of  March,  Mr.  Oglethorpe  from 
the  committee  ai)pointed  to  inquire  into  the  state  of  tlie  gaols 
of  this  kingdom,  made  a  Repokt  of  some  progress  they  had 
made,  with  the  Resolutions  of  the  committee  thereupon,  and 
he  read  the  Report  in  his  place,  and  afterwards  delivered  the 
same  (with  two  appendixes)  in  at  the  table,  where  the  Report 
was  read,  and  the  resolutions  of  the  committee  being  severally 
read  a  second  time,  were  agreed  to  by  the  House,  in  substance 
as  follows,  viz.  : 

"  Resolved,  nemine  contradiceiite,  that  Thomas  Bambridge, 
the  acting  Warden  of  the  prison  at  the  Fleet,  hath  wilfully 
permitted  several  debtors  to  the  crown  in  great  sums  of  money, 
as  well  as  debtors  to  divers  of  his  Majesty's  subjects  to  escape  ; 
hath  been  guilty  of  the  most  notorious  breaches  of  his  trust ; 
great  extortions,  and  the  highest  crimes  and  misdemeanors  in 
the  execution  of  his  said  office  ;  and  hath  arbitrarily  and  un- 
lawfully loaded  with  irons,  put  into  dungeons,  and  destroyed 
prisoners  for  debt  under  his  charge,  treating  them  in  the  most 
barbarous  and  cruel  manner,  in  high  violation  and  contempt 
of  the  laws  of  this  kingdom  : 

"  Resolved,  nemine  contradiceiite,  that  John  Higgins,  Esq., 
late  warden  of  the  prison  of  the  Fleet,  did  during  the  time  of 
his  wardenship,  wilfully  permit  many  in  his  custody  to  escape, 
and  was  notoriously  guilty  of  great  breaches  of  his  trust,  extor- 
tions, cruelties,  and  many  other  high  crimes  and  misdemeanors, 
&;c.,  &c. 

"  And  that  James  Barnes,  William  Pindar,  John  Everett, 
and  Thomas  King  were  agents  of,  and  accomplices  with  the 
said  Thomas  Bambridge  in  the  commission  of  his  said  crimes. 

"  At  the  same  time,  upon  a  motion  made  by  Mr.  Oglethorpe, 
by  direction  of  the  committee,  it  was  unanimously  resolved  to 
address  his  Majesty  that  he  would  be  graciously  pleased  to 


342  THOMSON'S  TRIBUTE. 

direct  liis  Attorney  General  forthwith  to  prosecute,  in  the  most 
effectual  manner,  the  said  Thomas  Bambridge,  John  Higgins, 
James  Barnes,  William  Pindar,  John  Everett,  and  Thomas 
King  for  their  said  crimes. 

"  It  was  also  ordered  that  the  said  Bambridge,  Higgins, 
Barnes,  Pindar,  Everett,  and  King  be  committed  close  prison- 
ers in  His  Majesty's  gaol  of  Newgate. 

"  Then,  upon  Mr.  Oglethorpe's  motions,  two  bills  were  or- 
dered to  be  brought  in,  one  to  disable  Thomas  Bambridge  fi'om 
holding  or  executing  the  office  of  Warden  of  the  Prison  of  the 
Fleet,  or  to  have  or  exercise  any  authority  relating  therein. 
The  other,  for  better  regulating  the  prison  of  the  Fleet,  and 
for  more  effectually  preventing  and  punishing  arbitrary  and 
illegal  practices  of  the  Warden  of  the  said  prison. 

"  In  the  last  place  the  Commons  ordered  the  Report  from  the 
Committee  relating  to  the  Fleet  prison  to  be  printed."  [N.  B. 
The  substance  of  this  report  is  given  in  Boyer's  Political  State 
of  Europe,  Vol.  XXXVII.  p.  359  —  377.] 

The  labors  of  Oglethorpe  and  his  associates  to  correct  prison 
abuses,  were  warmly  acknowledged  by  their  country,  and  were 
the  grateful  theme  of  the  poet.  They  were  alluded  to  by 
Thomson  in  the  following  strain  : 

"  And  here  can  I  forget  the  generous  band 
Who,  touched  with  human  woe,  redressive  searched 
Into  the  horrors  of  the  gloomy  jail? 
Where  misery  moans  unpitied  and  unheard. 
Where  sickness  pines,  where  thirst  and  hunger  burn. 
And  poor  misfortune  feels  the  lash  of  vice  ? 

Ye  sons  of  mercy  !  yet  resume  the  search. 
Drag  forth  the  legal  monsters  into  light ; 
Wrench  from  their  hands  oppression's  iron  rod 
And  bid  the  cruel  feel  the  pains  they  give  !  " 

[Winter,  1.  359  —  338. 


RELEASE  OF  INSOLVENT  DEBTORS.    343 

"  The  wretched  condition  of  confined  debtors,  and  the  extor- 
tions and  oppressions  to  which  they  were  subjected  by  gaolers, 
thus  came  to  be  known  to  persons  in  high  stations,  and  this 
excited  the  compassion  of  several  gentlemen  to  think  of  some 
method  of  relieving  the  poor  from  that  distress  in  which  they 
were  often  involved  without  any  fault  of  their  own,  but  by 
some  conduct  which  deserved  pity  rather  than  punishment." 


VI.  — Page  11. 

RELEASE    TO    INSOLVENT    DEBTORS,    FROM    PRISON. 

In  a  very  excellent  publication  entitled  "  Reasons  for  estah- 
lishing  the  Colony  of  Georgia,  with  regard  to  the  trade  of 
Great  Britain,  the  increase  of  our  people,  and  the  emjiloyment 
and  support  it  will  afford  to  great  numbers  of  our  oicn  poor, 
as  well  as  foreign  Protestants,''''  by  Benjamin  Martin,  Esq. 
Lond.  1733 ;  are  some  remarks  in  reference  to  the  release  of 
insolvent  debtors  from  gaol,  which  I  deem  it  proper  to  extract 
and  annex  here  ;  and  the  rather,  because  the  work  is  exceed- 
ingly rare. 

After  describing  the  deplorable  condition  of  those  who  are 
in  reduced  circumstances,  and  need  assistance  and  would  be 
glad  of  employment,  the  writer  refers  to  the  situation  of  those 
who  are  thrown  into  prison  for  debt,  and  judges  that  the  num- 
ber may  be  estimated  at  four  thousaiid  every  year  ;  and  that 
above  one  third  part  of  the  debts  is  never  recovered  hereby ; 
and  then  adds,  "  If  half  of  these,  or  only  five  hundred  of 
them,  were  to  be  sent  to  Georgia  every  year  to  be  incorporated 
with  those  foreign  Protestants  who  are  expelled  their  own 
country  for  religion,  what  great  improvements  might  not  be 
expected  in  our  trade,  when  those,  as  well  as  the  foreigners,. 


344    RELEASE  OF  INSOLVENT  DEBTORS. 

would  be  so  many  new  subjects  gained  by  England  ?  For, 
while  they  are  in  prison,  they  are  absolutely  lost, — the  public 
loses  their  labor,  and  their  knowledge.  If  they  take  the  bene- 
fit of  the  Act  of  Parliament  that  allows  them  liberty  on  the 
delivery  of  their  all  to  their  creditors,  they  come  destitute  into 
the  world  again.  As  they  have  no  money  and  little  credit, 
they  find  it  almost  impossible  to  get  into  business,  especially 
when  our  trades  are  overstocked.  They,  therefore,  by  con- 
tracting new  debts,  must  return  again  into  prison,  or,  how 
honest  soever  their  dispositions  may  be,  by  idleness  and  neces- 
sity will  be  forced  into  bad  courses,  such  as  begging,  cheating, 
or  robbing.  These,  then,  likewise,  are  useless  to  the  state  ; 
not  only  so,  but  dangerous.  But  these  (it  will  be  said)  may 
be  serviceable  by  their  labor  in  the  country.  To  force  them 
to  it,  I  am  afraid,  is  impracticable  ;  to  suppose  they  will  volun- 
tarily do  it,  I  am  sure  is  unlikely.  The  Colony  of  Georgia 
will  be  a  proper  asylum  for  these.  This  will  make  the  act  of 
parliament  of  more  effect.  Here  they  will  have  the  best 
motive  for  industry  ;  a  possession  of  their  own,  and  no  possi- 
bility of  subsisting  without  it. 

"  I  have  heard  it  said  that  our  prisons  are  the  properest 
places  for  those  that  are  thrown  into  them,  by  keeping  them 
from  being  hurtful  to  others.  Surely  this  way  of  thinking  is 
something  too  severe.  Are  these  people,  with  their  liberty  to 
lose  our  compassion .''  Are  they  to  be  shut  up  from  our  eyes, 
and  excluded  also  from  our  hearts  .''  Many  of  very  honest 
dispositions  fall  into  decay,  nay,  perhaps,  because  they  are  so, 
because  they  cannot  allow  themselves  that  latitude  which  others 
take  to  be  successful.  The  ways  that  lead  to  a  man's  ruin  are 
various.  Some  are  undone  by  overtrading,  others  by  want  of 
trade  ;  many  by  being  responsible  for  others.     Do  all  these 


RELEASE  OF   INSOLVENT  DEBTORS.        345 

deserve  such  hardship  ?  If  a  man  sees  a  friend,  a  brother,  a 
father  going  to  a  prison,  where  felons  are  to  be  his  society, 
want  and  sickness  his  sure  attendants,  and  death,  in  all  likeli- 
hood his  only,  but  quick  relief;  if  he  stretches  out  his  hand 
to  save  him  from  immediate  slavery  and  ruin,  he  runs  the  risk 
of  his  own  liberty,  and  at  last  loses  it ;  is  there  any  one  who 
will  say,  this  man  is  not  an  object  of  compassion  ?  Not  so, 
but  of  esteem,  and  worth  preserving  for  his  virtue.  But  sup- 
posing that  idleness  and  intemperance  are  the  usual  cause  of 
his  ruin.  Are  these  crimes  adequate  to  such  a  punishment  as 
confinement  for  life  .''  But  even  yet  granting  that  these  unhappy 
people  deserve  no  indulgence,  it  is  certainly  imprudent  in  any 
state  to  lose  the  benefit  of  the  labor  of  so  many  thousands. 

But  the  public  loss,  by  throwing  men  into  prison,  is  not 
confined  to  them  only.  They  have  many  of  them  wives  and 
children.  These  are,  also,  involved  in  their  ruin.  Being  des- 
titute of  a  support,  they  must  perish,  or  else  become  a  burden 
on  their  parishes  by  an  inability  to  work,  or  a  nuisance  by 
their  thefts.     These,  too,  are  useless  to  society. 

In  short,  all  those  who  can  work  yet  are  supported  in  idle- 
ness by  any  mistaken  charity,  or  are  subsisted  by  their  par- 
ishes, which  are  at  this  time,  through  all  England  overburdened 
by  indolent  and  lazy  poor,  who  claim  and  are  designed  only 
for  impotent  poor  ;  —  all  those  who  add  nothing  by  their  labor 
to  the  welfare  of  the  state,  are  useless,  burdensome,  or  dan- 
gerous to  it.  What  is  to  be  done  with  these  necessitous  } 
Nobody,  I  suppose,  thinks  that  they  should  continue  useless. 
It  will  be  then  an  act  of  charity  to  these,  and  of  merit  to  the 
public,  for  any  one  to  propose,  forward,  and  perfect  a  better 
expedient  for  making  them  useful.  If  he  cannot,  it  is  surely 
just  to  acquiesce,  till  a  better  be  found,  in  the  present  design 
of  settling  them  in  Georgia."  p.  16  —  21. 
44 


346  SIR  THOMAS  LOMBE'S  MILL. 

VII.  — Page  16. 

SIR   THOMAS   LOMBe's    MILL    FOR   WINDING   SILK 

"  In  1719,  a  silk-throwing  mill  was  erected  at  Derby,  and 
from  that  time  to  the  beginning  of  the  present  century,  vari- 
ous improvements  were  introduced. 

"  The  following  account  of  the  first  silk  mill  erected  in 
England  will  be  interesting.  At  the  commencement  of  the 
last  century,  a  person  of  the  name  of  Crochet  erected  a  small 
mill  near  the  present  works,  with  the  intention  of  introducing 
the  Italian  method  of  spinning  into  this  country.  About  1715, 
a  similar  plan  was  in  the  contemplation  of  a  mechanic  and 
draughtsman  named  John  Lombe,  who  travelled  into  Italy  to 
procure  drawings  and  models  of  the  machines  necessary  for 
the  undertaking.  After  remaining  some  time  in  that  country, 
and  gaining  as  much  information  as  the  jealousy  and  precau- 
tions of  the  merchants  of  Italy  would  allow,  he  returned  with 
two  natives,  accustomed  to  the  manufacture,  into  this  coun- 
try, and  fixed  upon  Derby  as  a  proper  place  to  establish  his 
works.  He  agreed  with  the  corporation  for  an  island,  or 
rather  swamp,  in  the  river,  500  feet  long  and  52  feet  wide,  at 
the  rent  of  about  ^8  yearly.  Here  he  established  his  silk 
mills,  and  in  1718  procured  a  patent  to  enable  him  to  secure 
the  profits  for  fourteen  years.  But  Lombe  did  not  live  much 
longer;  for  the  Italians,  exasperated  at  the  injury  done  to  their 
trade  by  its  introduction  into  England,  sent  an  artful  woman 
over,  who  associated  with  the  parties  in  the  character  of  a 
friend,  and,  having  gained  over  one  of  the  natives  who  had 
originally  accompanied  Mr.  Lombe,  administered  a  poison  to 
him,  of  which,  it  is  said,  he  ultimately  died.    His  death,  how- 


SIR  THOMAS  LOMBE'S  MILL.  347 

ever,  did  not  prove  fatal  to  his  scheme ;  for  his  brother,  and 
afterwards  his  cousin,  carried  on  the  business  with  energy, 
and  employed  more  than  three  hundred  persons.  A  little  be- 
fore the  expiration  of  the  Patent,  Sir  Thomas  Lombe  peti- 
tioned for  a  renewal  of  it ;  but  this  was  refused,  and  instead 
of  it,  ^14,000  was  granted  him,  on  condition  that  he  should 
allow  a  complete  model  of  the  works  to  be  taken  ;  this  was 
accordingly  done,  and  afterwards  deposited  in  the  town  for 
public  inspection. 

"  This  extensive  mill  stands  upon  a  huge  pile  of  oak,  double 
planked  and  covered  with  stone-work,  on  which  are  turned 
thirteen  stone  arches,  which  sustain  the  walls. 

"  The  spinning  mills  are  eight  in  number,  and  give  motion 
to  upwards  of  25,000  reel  bobbins,  and  nearly  3000  star 
wheels  belonging  to  the  reels.  Each  of  the  four  twist  mills 
contains  four  rounds  of  spindles,  about  389  of  which  are  con- 
nected with  each  mill,  as  well  as  the  numerous  reels,  bobbins, 
star  wheels,  &c.  The  whole  of  this  elaborate  machine,  though 
distributed  through  so  many  apartmennts,  is  put  in  motion 
by  a  single  water-wheel  twenty-three  feet  in  diameter,  situ- 
ated on  the  west  side  of  the  building." 

[Treatise  on  the  Mamifacturcs  and  Machinery  of  Great  Britain,  by 
P.  Barlow,  Esq.,  F.  R.  S.,&c.,in  the  Encyclopedia  Metropol. 
Part  VI.    "  Mixed  Sciences." 

"  Sir  Thomas  Lombe,  Alderman  of  Bassishaw  Ward,  died, 
at  his  house  in  Old  Jury,  London,  on  the  third  of  January, 
1739,  aged  81.  A  gentleman  of  great  integrity  and  honor. 
He  was  the  senior  Alderman,  next  the  chair.  Worth  .£120,- 
000  sterling." 


348  CASE   OF  CAPTAIN  PORTEOUS. 

VIII.  —  Page  22. 

CASE    OF   CAPTAIN    PORTEOUS. 

There  is  an  account  of  the  riot,  and  of  all  the  particulars 
attending  the  murder  of  Captain  Porteous,  at  the  close  of  the 
9th  volume  of  the  History  of  the  Proceedings  of  the  House 
of  Commons,  from  page  506  to  545  ;  and  a  concise  narrative 
in  the  History  of  England^  by  Lord  Mahon,  Vol.  II.  p.  285- 
298.  He  introduces  it  by  the  following  remarks:  "  Some  years 
back,  the  real  events  might  have  excited  interest ;  but  the 
wand  of  an  enchanter  is  now  waved  over  us.  We  feel  the 
spell  of  the  greatest  writer  that  the  world  has  seen  in  one  de- 
partment, or  Scotland  produced  in  any.  How  dull  and  lifeless 
will  not  the  true  facts  appear  when  no  longer  embellished  by 
the  touching  sorrows  of  Effie,  or  the  heroic  virtue  of  Jeanie 
Deans  !  "  He  refers,  in  a  note,  to  chapter  VI.  of  The  Heart 
of  Mid  Lothian,  by  Sir  Walter  Scott,  and  to  "  his  excel- 
lent narrative  "  in  the  2d  series  of  the  Tales  of  a  Grand- 
father, from  p.  231  to  242,  the  end  of  the  volume.  See  also 
the  able  speech  of  Mr.  Lindsay,  in  the  Parliamentary  Histo- 
ry, p.  254. 

It  is  worthy  of  remark  that  the  Bill  was  carried  in  Com- 
mittee by  the  least  possible  majority.  One  hundred  and 
thirty-one  members  voted  for  reporting  the  Bill  as  amended  ; 
the  same  number  voted  against  it.  And,  though  it  is  custom- 
ary for  the  Chairman  to  give  his  vote  on  the  side  of  mercy, 
he  voted  in  favor  of  the  Bill.  It  is  further  remarkable,  that 
two  Scots  members,  the  Solicitor  General,  and  Mr.  Erskine 
of  Grange,  were  then  attending  an  appeal  in  the  House  of 
Lords,  and  were  refused  leave  of  absence  in  order  to  be  at 
this  discussion,  otherwise  the  Bill  would  have  been  entirely 
lost. 


TRUSTEES  FOR  GEORGIA. 


349 


IX.  — Page  40. 

About  the  end  of  the  month  of  August,  1732,  Sir  Gilbert 
Heathcote  acquainted  the  court  of  directors  of  the  Bank  of 
England,  that  his  Majesty  had  granted  a  charter  for  estab- 
lishing a  regular  colony  in  Georgia  ;  that  the  fund  was  to 
arise  from  charitable  contributions  which  he  recommended  to 
them,  shewing  the  great  charity  of  the  undertaking  and  the 
future  benefit  arising  to  England,  by  strengthening  all  the 
American  Colonies,  by  increasing  the  trade  and  navigation  of 
the  kingdom,  and  by  raising  of  raw  silk,  for  which  upwards 
of  .£500,000  a  year  was  paid  to  Piedmont,  and  thereby  giv- 
ing employment  to  thousands  of  tradesmen  and  working  peo- 
ple. Then  Sir  Gilbert  gave  a  handsome  benefaction  to  the 
design,  and  his  example  was  followed  by  the  directors  then 
present,  and  a  great  many  others  belonging  to  that  opulent 
society  ;  and  James  Vernon,  Robert  Hucks,  and  George 
Heathcote,  Esquires,  paid  into  the  Bank  (the  ti-easury  for  this 
use)  .£200  each  for  the  charity,  which  was  conducted  by  the 
following  gentlemen  as  trustees  : 

Anthony  Earl  of  Shaftesbury,       Francis  Eyles,Esq. 

John  Lord  Viscount  Purceval,        John  Laroche,  Esq. 

John  Lord  Viscount  Tyrconnel,     James  Vernon,  Esq. 

James  Lord  Viscount  Limerick,     Stephen  Hales,  A.  M. 


George  Lord  Carpenter, 
Edward  Digby,  Esq. 
James  Oglethorpe,  Esq. 
George  Heathcote,  Esq. 
Thomas  Towers,  Esq. 
Robert  Moore,  Esq. 
Robert  Hucks,  Esq. 
William  Sloper,  Esq. 


Richard  Chandler,  Esq. 
Thomas  Frederick,  Esq. 
Henry  L'Apostre,  Esq. 
William  Heathcote,  Esq. 
John  White,  Esq. 
Robert  Kendal,  Esq. 
Richard  Bundv,  D.  D. 


350        OGLETHORPE'S  DISINTERESTEDNESS. 

Collections  were  made  all  over  England,  and  large  sums 
raised,  and  the  Parliament  gave  .^10,000,  which  enabled  the 
trustees  to  entertain  many  poor  people  that  offered,  and  to 
make  provision  for  their  transportation  and  maintenance  till 
they  could  provide  for  themselves.     [OldMixon,  I.  p.  526. 

"  Those  who  direct  this  charity  have,  by  their  own  choice, 
in  the  most  open  and  disinterested  manner,  made  it  impos- 
sible for  any  one  among  them  to  receive  any  advantage  from 
it,  besides  the  consciousness  of  making  others  happy.  Vol- 
untary and  unpaid  directors  carry  on  their  designs  with  honor 
and  success.  Such  an  association  of  men  of  leisure  and  for- 
tune to  do  good,  is  the  glory  and  praise  of  our  country." 

\^Sennoji  before  the  trustees  for  establishing  the  colony  of  Georgia, 
by  Thomas  Rundle,  D.  D.,  Bishop  of  Londonderry,  Ireland. 
Lond.  1734,  page  16. 

X.— Page  47. 
oglethobpe's  disinterestedness  in  the  undertaking. 

As  Oglethorpe's  going  along  with  this  new  Colony  proceed- 
ed merely  from  his  public  spirit,  and  from  a  disinterested  and 
generous  view  of  contributing  all  that  was  in  his  power,  to- 
wards the  benefit  of  his  country,  and  the  relief  of  his  dis- 
tressed countrymen,  it  met  with  just  and  deserved  applause. 
In  one  of  the  public  prints  of  the  day  the  following  enco- 
mium was  inserted. 

"  Whether  it  is  owing  to  an  affectation  of  being  thought 
conversant  with  the  ancients,  or  the  narrowness  of  our  minds, 
I  know  not,  but  we  often  pass  over  those  actions  in  our  con- 
temporaries which  would  strike  us  with  admiration  in  a  Greek 
or  a  Roman.  Their  histories  perhaps  cannot  produce  a  greater 
instance  of  public  spirit  than  what  appeared  in  an  evening 


OGLETHORPE'S  DISINTERESTEDNESS.       351 

paper  of  Saturday,  the  18th  instant,  that  '  James  Oglethorpe, 
Esq.,  one  of  the  Trustees  for  establishing  the  Colony  of 
Georgia,  is  gone  over  with  the  first  embarkation  at  his  own 
expense.'  To  see  a  gentleman  of  his  rank  and  fortune  visit- 
ing a  distant  and  uncultivated  land,  with  no  other  society  but 
the  miserable  whom  he  goes  to  assist ;  exposing  himself  freely 
to  the  same  hardships  to  which  they  are  subjected,  in  the 
prime  of  life,  instead  of  pursuing  his  pleasures  or  ambition  ; 
on  an  improved  and  well  concerted  plan,  from  which  his 
country  must  reap  the  profits ;  at  his  own  expense,  and  with- 
out a  view,  or  even  a  possibility  of  receiving  any  private  ad- 
vantage from  it ;  this  too,  after  having  done  and  expended  for 
it  what  many  generous  men  would  think  suiEcient  to  have 
done  ;  —  to  see  this,  I  say,  must  give  every  one  who  has  ap- 
proved and  contributed  to  the  undertaking,  the  highest  satis- 
faction ;  must  convince  the  world  of  the  disinterested  zeal 
with  which  the  settlement  is  to  be  made,  and  entitle  him  to 
the  truest  honor  he  can  gain,  the  perpetual  love  and  applause 
of  mankind. 

"  With  how  just  an  esteem  do  we  look  back  on  Sir  Walter 
Raleigh  for  the  expeditions  which  he  made  so  beneficial  to  his 
country  !  And  shall  we  refuse  the  same  justice  to  the  living 
which  we  pay  to  the  dead,  when  by  it  we  can  raise  a  proper 
emulation  in  men  of  capacity,  and  divert  them  from  those 
idle  or  selfish  pursuits  in  which  they  are  too  generally  en- 
gaged .'  How  amiable  is  humanity  when  accompanied  with 
so  much  industry  !  What  an  honor  is  such  a  man  !  How 
happy  must  he  be  !  The  benevolent  man,  says  Epicurus,  is 
like  a  river,  which,  if  it  had  a  rational  soul,  must  have  the 
highest  delight  to  see  so  many  corn  fields  and  pastures  flour- 
ish and  smile,  as  it  were,  with  plenty  and  verdure,  and  all  by 


352     GOVERNOR  JOHNSON'S  ADVERTISEMENT. 

the  overflowing  of  its  bounty  and  diff'usion  of  its  streams  upon 
thenti. 

"  I  should  not  have  written  so  much  of  this  Gentleman,  had 
he  been  present  to  read  it.  I  hope  to  see  every  man  as  warm 
in  praising  him  as  I  am,  and  as  hearty  to  encourage  the  de- 
sign he  is  promoting  as  I  really  think  it  deserves  ;  a  design 
that  sets  charity  on  a  right  foot,  by  relieving  the  indigent  and 
unfortunate,  and  making  them  useful  at  the  same  time."  ' 

XI.  —  Page  56. 

On  the  13th  of  January,  1732-3,  the  Governor  of  South 
Carolina  published  in  their  Gazette  the  following  advertise- 
ment. 

"  Whereas  1  have  lately  received  a  power  from  the  Trus- 
tees for  establishing  a  Colony  in  that  part  of  Carolina  between 
the  rivers  Alatamaha  and  Savannah,  now  granted  by  his  Ma- 
jesty's Charter  to  the  said  Trustees,  by  the  name  of  the  Pro- 
vince of  Georgia,  authorizing  me  to  take  and  receive  all  such 
voluntary  contributions  as  any  of  his  Majesty's  good  subjects 
of  this  Province  shall  voluntarily  contribute  towards  so  good 
and  charitable  a  work,  as  the  relieving  poor  and  insolvent 
debtors,  and  settling,  establishing,  and  assisting  any  poor  Pro- 
testants of  what  nation  soever,  as  shall  be  will  nj.  to  settle  in 
the  said  Colony  ;  and  whereas  the  said  intended  settlement 
will,  in  all  human  appearance,  be  a  great  strengthening  and 
security  to  this  Province,  as  well  as  a  charitable  and  pious 
work,  and  worthy  to  be  encouraged  and  promoted  by  all  pious 
and  good  Christians  ;  I  have,  therefore,  thought  fit  to  publish 

*  Transcribed  into  the  Political  State  of  Great  Britain,  for  Feb- 
ruary, 1733,  Vol.  XLV.  p.  181. 


GOVERNOR  AND  COUNCIL'S  LETTER.   353 

and  make  known  to  all  such  pious  and  well  disposed  persons 
as  are  willing  to  promote  so  good  a  work,  that  1  have  ordered 
and  directed  Mr.  Jesse  Badenhop  to  receive  all  such  subscrip- 
tions or  sums  of  money  as  shall  be  by  them  subscribed  or  paid 
in  for  the  uses  and  purposes  aforesaid  ;  which  sums  of  money 
(be  they  great  or  small,)  I  promise  them  shall  be  faithfully 
remitted  to  the  Trustees  by  the  aforesaid  charter  appointed, 
together  with  the  names  of  the  subscribers,  which  will  by 
them  be  published  every  year  ;  or,  (if  they  desire  their  names 
to  be  kept  secret)  the  names  of  the  persons  by  whom  they 
make  the  said  subscriptions. 

The  piety  and  charity  of  so  good  an  undertaking,  I  hope 
will  be  a  sufficient  inducement  to  every  person  to  contribute 
something  to  a  work  so  acceptable  to  God,  as  well  as  so  ad- 
vantageous to  this  Province. 

R.   Johnson. 

A  Copy  of  the  Letter  of  the  Governor  and  Council  of  South 
Carolina,  to  Mr.  Oglethorpe. 

Sir  —  We  cannot  omit  the  first  opportunity  of  congratu- 
lating you  on  your  safe  arrival  in  this  province,  wishing  you 
all  imaginable  success  in  your  charitable  and  generous  under- 
taking ;  in  which  we  beg  leave  to  assure  you  that  any  assist- 
ance we  can  give  shall  not  be  wanting  in  the  promotion  of 
the  same. 

The  General  Assembly  having  come  to  the  Resolutions  in- 
closed, we  hope  you  will  accept  it  as  an  instance  of  our  sin- 
cere intentions  to  forward  so  good  a  work  ;  and  of  our  attach- 
ment to  a  person  who  has  at  all  times  so  generously  used  his 
endeavors  to  relieve  the  poor,  and  deliver  them  out  of  their 
distress  ;  in  which  you  have  hitherto  been  so  successful,  that 
45 


354  ASSEMBLY'S  RESOLUTIONS. 

we  are  persuaded  this  undertaking  cannot  fail  under  your  pru- 
dent conduct,  which  we  most  heartily  wish  for. 

The  rangers  and  scout-boats  are  ordered  to  attend  you  as 
soon  as  possible. 

Colonel  Bull,  a  gentleman  of  this  Board,  and  who  we  es- 
teem most  capable  to  assist  you  in  the  settling  of  your  new 
Colony,  is  desired  to  deliver  you  this,  and  to  accompany  you, 
and  render  you  the  best  services  he  is  capable  of;  and  is  one 
whose  integrity  you  may  very  much  depend  on. 

We  are,  with  the  greatest  respect  and  esteem,  Sir,  your 
most  obedient  humble  servants. 

Robert  Johnson, 
Thomas  Broughton, 
Al.  Middleton, 
A.  Skeene, 
Fra.  Younge, 
James  Kinlock, 
John  Fenwtcke, 
Thomas  Waring, 
J.  Hammerton. 
Council  Chamber,  26  January,  1733. 

Copy  of  the  Assembly''s  Resolutions. 

The  Committee  of  his  Majesty's  Honorable  Council  ap-' 
pointed  to  confer  with  a  Committee  of  the  lower  House  on 
his  E.xcellency's  message  relating  to  the  arrival  of  the  Hon- 
orable James  Oglethorpe,  Esq.,  report  — 

That  agreeable  to  his  Majesty's  instructions  to  his  Excellen- 
cy, sent  down  together  with  the  said  message,  we  are  unani- 
mously of  opinion  that  all  due  countenance  and  encour- 
agement ought  to  be  given  to  the  settling  of  the  Colony  of 
Georgia. 


ASSEMBLY'S  RESOLUTIONS.  355 

And  for  that  end  your  Committee  apprehend  it  necessary 
that  his  Excellency  be  desired  to  give  orders  and  directions 
that  Captain  McPherson,  together  with  fifteen  of  the  rangers, 
do  forthwith  repair  to  the  new  settlement  of  Georgia,  to  cover 
and  protect  Mr.  Oglethorpe,  and  those  under  his  care,  from 
any  insult  that  may  be  offered  them  by  the  Indians,  and  that 
they  continue  and  abide  there  till  the  new  settlers  have  en* 
forted  themselves,  and  for  such  further  time  as  his  Excellency 
may  think  necessary. 

That  the  Lieutenant  and  four  men  of  the  Apalachicola 
Garrison  be  ordered  to  march  to  the  fort  on  Cambahee,  to  join 
those  of  the  rangers  that  remain  ;  and  that  the  Commissary  be 
ordered  to  find  them  with  provision  as  usual. 

That  his  Excellency  will  please  to  give  directions  that  the 
scout-boat  at  Port  Royal  do  attend  the  new  settlers  as  often 
as  his  Excellency  shall  see  occasion. 

That  a  present  be  given  Mr.  Oglethorpe  for  the  new  set- 
tlers of  Georgia  forthwith,  of  an  hundred  head  of  breeding 
cattle  and  five  bulls,  as  also  twenty  breeding  sows  and  four 
boars,  with  twenty  barrels  of  good  and  merchantable  rice  ; 
the  whole  to  be  delivered  at  the  charge  of  the  public,  at  such 
place  in  Georgia  as  Mr.  Oglethorpe  shall  appoint. 

That  periauguas  be  provided  at  the  charge  of  the  public  to 
attend  Mr.  Oglethorpe  at  Port  Royal,  in  order  to  carry  the 
new  settlers,  arrived  in  the  ship  Anne,  to  Georgia,  with  their 
effects,  and  the  artillery  and  ammunition  now  on  board. 

That  Colonel  Bull  be  desired  to  go  to  Georgia  with  the 
Honorable  James  Oglethorpe,  Esq.,  to  aid  him  with  his  best 
advice  and  assistance  in  settling  the  place. 


35G       LETTER  FROM  GOVERNOR  JOHNSON. 

Extract  of  a  Letter  from  His  Excellency  Robert  Johnson, 
Esq.,  Governor  of  South  Carolina,  to  Benjamin  Martyn, 
Esq.,  Secretary  to  the  Trustees,  ^c. 

Charlestown,  Feb.  12,  1733. 

Sir  —  I  have  received  the  favor  of  yours,  dated  the  20th  of 
October,  and  the  duplicate  of  the  24th.  I  beg  you  will  assure 
the  Honorable  Trustees  of  my  humble  respects,  and  that  I 
will  attach  myself  to  render  them  and  their  laudable  under- 
taking all  the  service  in  my  power. 

Mr.  Oglethorpe  arrived  here  with  his  people  in  good  health 
the  13th  of  January.  1  ordered  him  a  pilot,  and  in  ten  hours 
he  proceeded  to  Port  Royal,  where  he  arrived  safe  the  19th, 
and  I  understand  from  thence,  that,  after  refreshing  his  people 
a  little  in  our  barracks,  he,  with  all  expedition,  proceeded  to 
Yamacraw,  upon  Savannah  River,  about  twelve  miles  from 
the  sea,  where  he  designs  to  fix  those  he  has  brought  with 
him. 

I  do  assure  you,  that  upon  the  first  news  I  had  of  this  em- 
barkation, I  was  not  wanting  in  giving  the  necessary  orders 
for  their  reception  ;  and,  being  assisted  at  Port  Royal,  (al- 
though they  were  here  almost  as  soon  as  we  heard  of  their 
design  of  coming,)  not  knowing  whether  Mr.  Oglethorpe  de- 
signed directly  there,  or  would  touch  here, 

I  am  informed  he  is  mighty  well  satisfied  with  his  reception 
there,  and  likes  the  country ;  and  that  he  says  things  succeed 
beyond  his  expectation  ;  but  I  have  not  yet  received  a  letter 
from  him  since  his  being  at  Port  Royal. 

Our  General  Assembly  meeting  three  days  after  his  de- 
parture, I  moved  to  them  their  assisting  this  generous  under- 


LETTER  CONTINUED.  357 

taking.  Both  Houses  immediately  came  to  the  following  reso- 
lution ;  that  Mr.  Oglethorpe  should  be  furnished  at  the  public 
expense,  with  one  hundred  and  four  breeding  cattle,  twenty- 
five  hogs,  and  twenty  barrels  of  good  rice  ;  that  boats  should 
also  be  provided  at  the  public  charffe  to  transport  the  people, 
provisions  and  goods,  from  Port  Royal  to  the  place  where  he 
designed  to  settle  ;  that  the  scout-boats,  and  fifteen  of  our 
rangers,  (who  are  horsemen,  and  always  kept  in  pay  to  dis- 
cover the  motions  of  the  Indians,)  should  attend  to  Mr.  Ogle- 
thorpe, and  obey  his  commands,  in  order  to  protect  the  new 
settlers  from  any  insults,  which  I  think  there  is  no  danger  of ; 
and  I  have  given  the  necessary  advice  and  instructions  to  our 
out  garrisons,  and  the  Indians  in  friendship  with  us,  that  they 
may  befriend  and  assist  them. 

I  have  likewise  prevailed  on  Colonel  Bull,  a  member  of  the 
Council,  and  a  gentleman  of  great  probity  and  experience  in 
the  affairs  of  this  Province,  the  nature  of  land,  and  the  method 
of  settling,  and  who  is  well  acquainted  with  the  manner  of 
the  Indians,  to  attend  Mr.  Oglethorpe  to  Georgia  with  our 
compliments,  and  to  offer  him  advice  and  assistance ;  and, 
had  not  our  Assembly  been  sitting,  I  would  have  gone  myself. 

I  received  the  Trustees  commission  ;  for  the  honor  of  which 
I  beg  you  will  thank  them.  I  heartily  wish  all  imaginable 
success  to  this  good  work  ;  and  am,  Sir, 

Your  most  humble  Servant, 

Robert  Johnson. 

P.  S.  Since  writing  the  above,  I  have  had  the  pleasure  of 
hearing  from  Mr.  Oglethorpe,  who  gives  me  an  account  that 
his  undertaking  goes  on  very  successfully. 


358  INDIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

XII.  —  Page  68. 

Creeks,  so  called  by  the  English,  because  their  country 
lies  chiefly  among  rivers,  which  the  American  English  call 
"  creeks  ;  "  but  the  real  name  is  Musogees.  Their  language 
is  the  softest  and  most  copious  of  all  the  Indians,  and  is  looked 
upon  to  be  the  radical  language;  for  they  can  make  them- 
selves understood  by  almost  all  the  other  Indians  on  the  Con- 
tinent. They  are  divided  into  three  people,  Upper,  Lower, 
and  Middle  Creeks.  The  two  former  governed  by  their  re- 
spective chiefs,  whom  they  honor  with  a  royal  denomination  ; 
yet  they  are,  in  the  most  material  part  of  their  government, 
subordinate  to  the  Chief  of  the  latter,  who  bears  an  imperial 
title.  Their  country  lies  between  Spanish  Florida  and  the 
Cherokee  mountains,  and  from  the  Atlantic  Ocean  to  the  Gulf 
of  Mexico.  They  are  a  tall,  well-limbed  people,  very  brave 
in  war,  and  as  much  respected  in  the  South,  as  the  Iroquois 
are  in  the  North  part  of  America. 

[History  of  the  British  Settlements  in  I^'orth  America,  Lond.  1773, 

4to,  p.  15G.     Adair,  257.     Barton's  Views,  &c.,  Introduction 

XLIV.  and  Appendix  9. 

XIII.  —  Page  72. 

ACCOUNT  OF  THE  INDIANS    IN  GEORGIA,  BEING  PART  OF  A  LETTER 
FROM    OGLETHORPE,    DATED    9tH    JUNE,    1733. 

There  seems  to  be  a  door  opened  to  our  Colony  towards 
the  conversion  of  the  Indians.  I  have  had  many  conversa- 
tions with  their  chief  men,  the  whole  tenor  of  which  shews 
that  there  is  nothing  wanting  to  their  conversion  but  one  who 
understands  their  language  well,  to  explain  to  them  the  mys' 
teries  of  religion  ;  for,  as  to  the  moral  part  of  Christianity, 


OGLETHORPE'S  ACCOUNT  OF  INDIANS.      359 

they  understand  it,  and  do  assent  to  it.  They  abhor  adultery^ 
and  do  not  approve  of  a  plurality  of  wives.  Theft  is  a  thing 
not  known  among  the  Creek  Indians;  though  frequent,  and 
even  honorable  among  the  Ucheos.  Murder  they  look  on  as 
a  most  abominable  crime  :  but  do  not  esteem  the  killing  of  an 
enemy,  or  one  that  has  injured  them,  murder.  The  passion 
of  revenge,  which  they  call  honor,  and  drunkenness,  which 
they  learn  from  our  traders,  seem  to  be  the  two  greatest  ob- 
stacles to  their  being  truly  Christians  :  but,  upon  both  these 
points  they  hear  reason  ;  and  with  respect  to  drinking  rum, 
I  have  weaned  those  near  me  a  good  deal  from  it.  As  for 
revenge,  they  say,  as  they  have  no  executive  power  of  justice 
amongst  them,  they  are  forced  to  kill  the  man  who  has  injured 
them,  in  order  to  prevent  others  doing  the  like ;  but  they  do 
not  think  any  injury,  except  adultery,  or  murder,  deserves  re- 
venge. They  hold  that  if  a  man  commits  adultery,  the  in- 
jured husband  is  obliged  to  have  revenge,  by  cutting  off  the 
ears  of  the  adulterer,  which,  if  he  is  too  strong  or  sturdy  to 
submit  to,  then  the  injured  husband  kills  him  the  first  oppor- 
tunity he  has  to  do  it  with  safety.  In  cases  of  murder,  the 
next  in  blood  is  obliged  to  kill  the  murderer,  or  else  he  is 
looked  on  as  infamous  in  the  nation  where  he  lives  ;  and  the 
weakness  of  the  executive  power  is  such,  that  there  is  no  other 
way  of  punishment  but  by  the  revenger  of  blood,  as  the  Scrip- 
ture calls  it ;  for  there  is  no  coercive  power  in  any  of  their 
nations ;  their  kings  can  do  no  more  than  to  persuade.  All 
the  power  they  have  is  no  more  than  to  call  their  old  men 
and  captains  together,  and  to  propound  to  them  the  measures 
they  think  proper  ;  and,  after  they  have  done  speaking,  all 
the  others  have  liberty  to  give  their  opinions  also  ;  and  they 
reason  together  with  great  temper  and  modesty,  till  they  have 


360  ACCOUNT  OF  INDIANS. 

brought  each  other  into  some  unanimous  resolution.  Then 
they  call  in  the  young  men,  and  recommend  to  them  the  put- 
ting in  execution  the  resolution,  with  their  strongest  and  most 
lively  eloquence.  And,  indeed,  they  seem  to  me,  both  in 
action  and  expression,  to  be  thorough  masters  of  true  elo- 
quence. In  speaking  to  their  young  men,  they  generally 
address  the  passions.  In  speaking  to  the  old  men,  they  apply 
to  reason  only.  [He  then  states  the  interview  with  the 
Creeks,  and  gives  the  first  set  speech  of  Tomo  Chichi,  which 
has  been  quoted.]  One  of  the  Indians  of  the  Cherokee  nation, 
being  come  down,  the  Governor  told  him  that  "  he  need  fear 
nothing,  but  might  speak  freely,"  answered  smartly,  "  I 
always  speak  freely,  what  should  I  fear  ?  I  am  now  among 
friends,  and  I  never  feared  even  among  my  enemies."  Another 
instance  of  their  short  manner  of  speaking  was  when  I  order- 
ed one  of  the  Carolina  boatmen,  who  was  drunk  and  had 
beaten  an  Indian,  to  be  tied  to  a  gun  till  he  was  sober,  in  or- 
der to  be  whipped.  Tomo  Chichi  came  to  me  to  beg  me  to 
pardon  him,  which  I  refused  to  do  unless  the  Indian  who  had 
been  beaten  should  also  desire  the  pardon  for  him.  Tomo 
Chichi  desired  him  to  do  so,  but  he  insisted  upon  satisfaction. 
Tomo  Chichi  said,  "  O  Fonseka,"  (  for  that  was  his  name,) 
"  this  Englishman,  being  drunk,  has  beat  you  ;  if  he  is  whip- 
ped for  so  doing,  the  Englishmen  will  expect  that,  if  an  In- 
dian should  insult  them  when  drunk,  the  Indian  should  be 
whipped  for  it.  When  you  are  drunk,  you  are  quarrelsome, 
and  you  know  you  love  to  be  drunk,  but  you  don't  love  to  be 
whipped."  Fonseka  was  convinced,  and  begged  me  to  par- 
don the  man  ;  which,  as  soon  as  I  granted,  Tomo  Chichi  and 
Fonseka  ran  and  untied  him,  which  I  perceived  was  done  to 
show  that  he  owed  his  safety  to  their  intercession. 


DUKE  OF  ARGYLE.  361 

XIV.  — Page  73. 

DUKE  OF  ARGYLE  A  PATRON  OF  OGLETHORPE. 

"  From  his  boyhood  Oglethorpe  uniformly  enjoyed  the 
friendship  and  confidence  of  his  gallant  and  eloquent  country- 
man, John  Duke  of  Argyle  ;  who,  in  an  animated  speech  in 
Parliament,  bore  splendid  testimony  to  his  military  talents,  his 
natural  generosity,  his  contempt  of  danger,  and  his  devotion 
to  the  public  weal."  ' 

This  favorable  opinion,  acquired  in  military  campaigns, 
where  his  soldierly  accomplishments  and  personal  bravery 
had  attracted  the  notice  and  won  the  admiration  of  the  com- 
manding officers,  was  preserved  in  after  scenes,  and  confirmed 
by  the  principles  which  they  both  maintained,  and  the  mea- 
sures they  alike  pursued  in  Parliament. 

The  Duke  also  early  devoted  himself  to  a  military  life, 
and  served  ander  the  great  Marlborough.  He  distinguished 
himself  at  the  battles  of  Ramilies,  of  Oudenarde,  and  Mal- 
plaquet,  and  assisted  at  the  siege  of  Lisle  and  of  Ghent. 
Such  services  were  honorably  rewarded  by  the  King,  who 
made  him  Knight  of  the  Garter  in  1710,  and  the  following 
year  sent  him  ambassador  to  Charles  III.  of  Spain,  with  the 
command  of  the  English  forces  in  that  kingdom.  His  support 
of  the  union  with  Scotland,  rendered  him  for  awhile  unpopular 
with  his  countrymen,  but  his  merits  were  acknowledged  by  all 
parties.  George  I.  on  his  accession,  restored  him  to  the  com- 
mand of  Scotland,  of  which  he  had  before  been  capriciously 
deprived  ;  and,  in  1715,  he  bravely  attacked  Lord  Mar's  army 
at  Dumblane,  and  obliged  the  Pretender  to  retire  from  the 
kingdom.     In  1718  he  was  made  Duke  of  Greenwich. 

'  Verplank's  Discourse  before  the  JS'tio  York  Historical  Society,  p.  33. 
46 


362  SALTZBURGERS. 

He  died  in  1743,  and  was  buried  in  Westminster  Abbey, 
where  a  handsome  monument  records  his  virtues. 

The  following  couplet  by  Pope  immortalizes  his  fame. 

"  Argyle,  the  state's  whole  tliunder  born  to  wield, 
And  shake  alike  the  senate  and  the  iield." 

Ho  had  the  honor,  also,  to  be  celebrated  in  very  high  terms 
by  Thomson  ; 

"  full  on  thee,  Argyle, 


Her  hope,  her  stay,  her  darling  and  her  boast, 
From  her  first  patriots  and  her  heroes  sprung, 
Thy  fond  imploring  country  turns  her  eye  ; 
In  thee,  with  all  a  mother's  triumph,  sees 
Her  every  virtue,  every  grace,  combined. 
Her  genius,  wisdom,  her  engaging  turn. 
Her  pride  of  honor,  and  her  courage  tried, 
Calm  and  intrepid,  in  the  very  throat 
Of  sulphurous  war,  on  Tenier's  dreadful  field. 
Nor  less  the  palm  of  peace  inwreathes  thy  brow ; 
For,  powerful  as  thy  sword,  from  thy  rich  tongue 
Persuasion  flows,  and  wins  the  high  debate  ; 
While,  mix'd  in  thee,  combine  the  charm  of  youth, 
The  force  of  manhood,  and  the  depth  of  age.'" 

l^utumn,  1.926  —  941. 

XV.  —  Page  82. 

HISTORICAL    REFERENCES     TO     THE     SETTLEBIENT    OF    THE     SALTZ- 
BURGERS   IN    GEORGIA. 

Nachricht  von  clem  estahlisliment  derer  Salzburgischen  emi- 
granien  zu  Ebenezer,  en  der  Pi'ovinz  Georgien  in  Nord-Amer- 
ica,  &c.  Von  P.  G.  F.  Von  Reck.  Halle  1774.  From  this, 
and  a  subsequent  Journal  of  the  same  author,  was  published  a 
very  interesting  little  work,  by  the  direction  of  the  Society  for 


SALTZBURGERS.  3g3 

promoting  Christian  knoicledge,  entitled  "  An  extract  of  the 
Journals  of  Mr.  Commissary  Von  Reck,  v^ho  conducted  the 
first  transport  of  Saltzhurgers  to  Georgia ;  and  of  the  Rev- 
erend Mr.  BoLzius,  one  of  their  Ministers.''''  London,  1734. 
12mo. 

A  circumslantial  account  of  the  settlement  and  of  the  affairs 
of  these  emigrants  is  given  in  a  work  which  bears  this  title, 
"  Ausfdrliche  Nacrichten  von  den  Sahburgischen  Einigranten, 
die  sich  in  America  niedergeJassen  hahen,  worinnen  die'Riese- 
diaria  des  JcoriigL  Grosshritannisc.hen  Commissarii  und  der 
heyden  Sahburgischen  Precliger,  wie  auch  eine  Beschreibung  von 
Georgien  enthalten.  Heraus  gegehen  von  Samuel  Urlsperger." 
Halle.,  1735-52.  This  journal  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Saltz- 
burg  emigrants,  who  formed  the  settlement  of  Ebenezer  in 
Georgia,  was  continued  from  year  to  year,  from  1734  to  1760  ; 
in  several  parts,  which,  bound  up,  make  five  thick  quarto 
volumes.  In  Professor  Ebeling's  copy,  now  in  the  library  of 
Harvard  College,  is  the  continuation,  in  iiiamiscript,  [perhaps 
the  original,]  and  which  was  never  printed,  by  John  Martin 
BoLzius,  dated  January,  1765.  There  is,  also,  a  separate 
work,  entitled  Americanisches  Ackerwerck  Gottes,  von  Samuel 
Urlsperger.     Augs.  1745 — 1760.     4to.     4  vol. 

A  most  interesting  account  of  the  persecution  is  to  be  found 
in  two  thin  quarto  volumes  by  J.  M.  Teubener,  entitled  His- 
iorie  derer  Emigranten  oder  Vertrieienen  Lutheraner  aus  dem 
Ertz-Bissthum  Salfzhurg.     2  vols.     4to.     Leipz.  1732. 

"  About  twenty-five  thousand  persons,  a  tenth  part  of  the 
population,  migrated  on  this  occasion.  Their  property  was 
sold  for  them,  under  the  King  of  Prussia's  protection  ;  some 
injustice,  and  considerable  loss  must  needs  have  been  sufTered 
by  such  a  sale,  and  the  chancellor,  by  whom  this  strong  meas- 


364  SALTZBURGERS. 

ure  was  carried  into  effect,  is  accused  of  having  enriched 
himself  by  the  transaction.  Seventeen  thousand  of  the  emi- 
grants settled  in  the  Prussian  states.  Their  march  will  long 
be  remembered  in  Germany.  The  Catholic  magistrates  at 
Augsburgh  shut  the  gates  against  them,  but  the  Protestants  in 
the  city  prevailed,  and  lodged  them  in  their  houses.  The 
Count  of  Stolberg  Warnegerode  gave  a  dinner  to  about  nine 
hundred  in  his  palace  ;  they  were  also  liberally  entertained 
and  relieved  by  the  Duke  of  Brunswick.  At  Lcipsic  the 
clergy  met  them  at  the  gates,  and  entered  with  them  in  pro- 
cession, singing  one  of  Luther's  hymns  ;  the  magistrates 
quartered  them  upon  the  inhabitants,  and  a  collection  was 
made  for  them  in  the  church,  several  merchants  subscribing 
liberally.  The  university  of  Wittenberg  went  out  to  meet 
them,  with  the  Rector  at  their  head,  and  collections  were 
made  from  house  to  house.  "  VVe  thought  it  an  honor,"  says 
one  of  the  Professors,  "  to  receive  our  poor  guests  in  that 
city  where  Luther  first  preached  the  doctrines  for  which  they 
were  obliged  to  abandon  their  native  homes."  These  demon- 
strations of  the  popular  feeling  render  it  more  than  probable 
that  if  a  religious  war  had  then  been  allowed  to  begin  in 
Saltzburg,  it  would  have  spread  throughout  all  Germany. 

"  Thirty-three  thousand  pounds  were  raised  in  London  for  the 
relief  of  the  Saltzburgers.  Many  of  them  settled  in  Georgia, 
—  colonists  of  the  best  description.  They  called  their  settle- 
ment Ebenezer.  Whitfield,  in  1738,  was  wonderfully  pleased 
with  their  order  and  industry.  "  Their  lands,"  he  says,  "  are 
improved  surprisingly  for  the  time  they  have  been  there,  and 
I  believe  they  have  far  the  best  crop  of  any  in  the  colony. 
They  are  blest  with  two  such  pious  ministers  as  I  have  not 
often  seen.     They  have  no  courts  of  judicature,  but  all  little 


SALTZBURGERS.  3g5 

differences  are  immediately  and  implicitly  decided  by  their 
ministers,  whom  they  look  upon  and  love  as  their  fathers. 
They  have  likewise  an  orphan  house,  in  which  are  seventeen 
children  and  one  widow,  and  I  was  much  delighted  to  see  the 
regularity  wherewith  it  is  managed."  Southey's  Life  of 
Wesley,  Vol.  I.  p.  98,  note. 

XVI.  —  Page  82. 

With  reference  to  these  persecuted  exiles,  are  the  following 
lines  of  Thomson. 

"  Lo  !  swarming  southward  on  rejoicing  suns 
New  colonies  extend  !  the  calm  retreat 
Of  undeserved  distress,  the  better  home 
Of  those  whom  bigots  chase  from  foreign  lands; 
Such  as  of  late  an  Oglethorpe  has  formed, 
And  crowding  round,  the  pleased  Savannah  sees." 

[Liberty,  Part  V. 

I  give,  also,  an  extract  from  the  London  Journal  of  the 
day. 

"  As  the  Trustees  for  settling  Georgia  are  giving  all  proper 
encouragement  for  the  Saltzburg  emigrants  to  go  over  and 
settle  there,  some  of  the  managers  for  those  poor  people  have 
sent  over  to  the  Trustees  from  Holland,  a  curious  medal  or 
device,  enchased  on  silver,  representing  the  emigration  of  the 
poor  Saltzburgers  from  their  native  country,  which  opens  like 
a  box,  and  in  the  inside  contains  a  map  of  their  country, 
divided  into  seventeen  districts,  with  seventeen  little  pieces  of 
historical  painting,  representing  the  seventeen  persecutions  of 
the  primitive  Christians  ;  the  whole  being  folded  up  in  a  very 
small  compass,  and  is  a  most  ingenious  piece  of  workmanship." 


SQ6  MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA. 

XVII.  — Page  130. 

SETTLEMENT    OF    THE    MORAVIANS    IN    GEORGIA. 

"  In  consequence  of  the  oppression  which  they  suffered  in 
Bohemia,  the  United  Brethren,  or,  as  they  are  more  commonly 
called,  the  Moravians,  resolved  to  emigrate  to  the  new  Colony 
of  Georgia  in  America,  whither  the  Saltzburgers  had  recently 
gone.  With  this  purpose  they  applied  to  Count  Zinzendorf, 
their  spiritual  guide,  for  his  concurrence  and  assistance.  Ac- 
cordingly, he  made  interest  with  the  Trustees  on  their  behalf, 
which,  being  favorably  received,  and  a  free  passage  offered,  a 
small  company  of  them  set  out  from  Flerrnfurt  in  November, 
1734.  They  proceeded  to  London,  where  they  found  Mr. 
Spangenberg,  who  had  nearly  concluded  every  thing  relative 
to  their  embarkation,  with  the  Trustees,  and  to  their  accom- 
modation and  settlement,  with  General  Oglethorpe.  A  num- 
ber of  Saltzburgers  were  also  about  to  emigrate  ;  and  three 
zealous  ministers  of  the  Church  of  England,  Mr.  John  Wes- 
ley, together  with  his  brother  Charles,  and  Mr.  Benjamin 
Ingham,  went  with  them  in  the  same  ship. 

"  They  arrived  at  Savannah  in  the  spring  of  1735  ;  and,  in 
the  following  summer  received  a  considerable  increase  of 
brethren,  conducted  by  David  Nitchmann,  senior. 

"  The  Saltzburgers  went  further  up  the  river,  and  selected 
a  place  of  settlement,  which  they  called  Ebenezer,  but  the 
Brethren  began  immediately  their  settlement  near  to  Savan- 
nah ;  and  God  so  blessed  their  industry,  that  they  were  not 
only  soon  in  a  capacity  of,  maintaining  themselves,  but,  also, 
of  being  serviceable  to  their  neighbors.  Having  had  assist- 
ance in  the  erection  of  a  school-house  for  the  children  of  the 
Indians,  Tomo  Tschatschi,  their  King,  came  to  see  it,  and 


MORAVIANS  IN  GEORGIA.  3^7 

was  glad  that  they  might  have  a  place  where,  as  he  expressed 
it,  they  could  hear  the  good  word.  Consequently  the  Colony 
of  the  Brethren  presented  a  fair  prospect,  both  with  respect 
to  the  settlement  itself,  and  the  instruction  and  conversion  of 
the  Heathen.  But,  being  among  the  rest  summoned  to  take 
up  arms  in  defence  of  the  country,  and  to  march  against  the 
Spaniards,  they  refused  it,  as  being  no  freeholders,  and,  of 
consequence,  not  obliged  to  it  according  to  the  laws  of  the 
Colony  ;  nay,  before  coming  over,  they  had  expressly  stated 
that  they  were  not  willing  to  perform  any  military  service. 
Count  Zinzendorf,  on  his  visit  to  London,  in  January,  1737, 
took  occasion  to  become  acquainted  with  General  Oglethorpe 
and  the  Trustees  of  Georgia,  with  whom  he  entered  into  a 
conference  relative  to  the  situation  of  the  Moravian  Brethren 
there.  He  remonstrated  against  their  being  called  on  to  enlist 
as  soldiers  ;  and  the  Trustees  readily  exempted  them  from 
such  a  liability.  But  as  this  exemption  embittered  the  minds 
of  the  people  against  them,  some  of  the  Brethren  in  1738  left 
all  their  flourishing  plantations,  having  repaid  all  the  money 
which  had  been  advanced  towards  their  passage  and  settle- 
ment, and  went  to  Pennsylvania.  The  rest  were  left  undis- 
turbed for  awhile  ;  but  in  1739,  when  the  troubles  of  war 
broke  out  afresh,  being  again  molested  on  account  of  military 
service,  they  followed  their  brethren  in  the  spring  of  1740,  and 
afterwards  began  the  colonies  of  Bethlehem  and  Nazareth." 
Ceanz's  History  of  the  United  Brethren,]).  193,  213  and  229. 

XVIII.  — Page  135. 

SCOUT-BOAT. 

1.  This  was  a  strong  built  ten-oared   boat,  bearing  three 
swivel  guns,  kept  for  exploring  the  river  passages,  visiting  the 


368  SCOUT-BOAT,  AND  CHANNELS. 

islands,  and  for  preventing  the  incursions  of  enemies,  and 
repelling  the  predatory  attempts  of  runaway  slaves  who 
sometimes  lurked  round  and  infested  the  coast.  The  crew 
was  composed  of  bold  and  hardy  South  Carolinians,  who  lie 
out  in  the  woods  or  in  the  open  boat,  for  months  together. 
Most  of  them  are  good  hunters  and  fishers ;  and  by  killing 
deer  and  other  game,  subsist  themselves,  when  the  packed 
stores  fail. 

2.  "  Channels.,^'*  as  they  are  called,  are  water  courses  be- 
tween the  main-land  and  the  islands  ;  in  some  places  above  a 
mile  wide,  in  others,  not  above  two  hundred  yards.  These 
sometimes  open  into  what  are  called  "  sounds,"  which  are 
gulfs  of  the  sea,  that  extend  into  the  land  and  entrances  of 
rivers. 

XIX.— Page  150. 

The  Uchee  Indians  had  a  village  not  far  from  Ebenezer, 
at  the  time  of  the  settlement  of  Georgia  ;  but  their  principal 
town  was  at  Chota.,  on  the  western  branch  of  the  Chattahoo- 
chee, or,  as  it  was  more  properly  spelt,  Chota- Uchee  river. 
How  long  they  had  resided  there  we  do  not  know.  As  their 
language  is  a  dialect  of  the  Shawanees,  it  has  been  supposed 
that  they  were  descendants  from  that  tribe.  A  jealousy  ex- 
isted between  them  and  the  Muscogees ;  but  they  were  in 
amity  with  the  Creeks,  though  they  would  not  mix  with  them. 
How  numerous  they  were  at  the  time  of  their  treaty  with 
Oglethorpe,  cannot  nov/  be  ascertained. 

In  1773  they  lived  on  a  beautiful  plain  of  great  extent,  in 
a  compact  village.  They  had  houses  made  of  timbers  framed 
together,  lathed  and  plastered  over  with  a  kind  of  red  clay, 
which  gave  them  the  appearance  of  having  been  built  of 


MUTINY  IN   THE   CAMP.  3g9 

brick.  At  that  time  they  numbered  1500,  of  whom  300  were 
warriors.  For  many  years  they  have  not  joined  the  Creeks 
in  any  of  their  games  or  dances ;  and  have  only  been  kept 
from  open  hostility  with  other  tribes,  by  the  influence  of  the 
white  people. 

[For  this  note  I  am  indebted  to  my  friend  Samuel  G.  Drake  ; 
wliose  Biogru-phij  and  Historij  of  the  Indians  of  JVortk  America 
comprises  much  that  can  be  known  of  the  aborigines. 

XX.— Page  194. 

OF  THE  MUTINY   IN  THE  CAMP,  AND  ATTEMPT  AT  ASSASSINATION. 

From  the  journal  of  William  Stephens,  Esq.  (Vol.  II.  pp. 
76,  90,  473,  480,  499,  and  505  ;  and  Vol.  III.  4,  5,  27,  and 
32,)  I  collect  the  following  particulars.  One  of  the  persons 
implicated  in  the  insidious  plot,  was  William  Shannon,  a  Ro- 
man Catholic.  "  He  was  one  of  the  new  listed  men  in  Eng- 
land, which  the  General  brought  over  with  him.  By  his 
seditious  behavior  he  merited  to  be  shot  or  hanged  at  Spit- 
head  before  they  left  it,  and  afterwards,  for  the  like  practices 
at  St.  Simons.  Upon  searching  him  there,  he  was  found  to 
have  belonged  to  Berwick's  regiment,  and  had  a  furlough 
from  it  in  his  pocket."  Instead  of  suffering  death  for  his 
treasonable  conduct,  in  the  last  instance,  he  was  whipped  and 
drummed  out  of  the  regiment.  "  Hence  he  rambled  up 
among  the  Indian  nations,  with  an  intent  to  make  his  way  to 
some  of  the  French  settlements  ;  but  being  discovered  by  the 
General  when  he  made  his  progress  to  those  parts,  in  the 
year  1739,  and  it  being  ascertained  that  he  had  been  endeav- 
oring to  persuade  the  Indians  into  the  interest  of  the  French, 
he  fled,  but  was  afterwards  taken  and  sent  down  to  Savannah, 
and  committed  to  prison  there  as  a  dangerous  fellow."  On 
47 


370  SHANNON  AND  MAZZIKE. 

the  14th  of  August,  1740,  he  and  a  Spaniard,  named  Joseph 
Anthony  Mazzique,  who  professed  to  be  a  travelling  doctor, 
but  had  been  imprisoned  upon  strong  presumption  of  being  a 
spy,  broke  out  of  prison  and  fled.  On  the  18th  of  Septem- 
ber, they  murdered  two  persons  at  Fort  Argyle,  and  rifled 
the  fort.  They  were  taken  on  the  beginning  of  October  at 
the  lichee  town,  and  brought  back  to  Savannah,  tried  and 
found  guilty,  condemned  and  executed  on  the  11th  of  No- 
vember, having  previously  confessed  their  crime. 

Since  my  account  of  the  traitorous  plot  was  written,  as 
also  of  the  attempt  at  assassination,  I  have  received  from  my 
friend  Dr.  W.  B.  Stevens,  of  Savannah,  the  following  ex- 
tracts from  letters  of  General  Oglethorpe.  As  they  state 
some  particulars  explanatory  and  supplementary  of  the  nar- 
rative which  I  had  given,  I  place  them  here.  And  this  I  do 
the  rather  because  Dr.  Hewatt,  (Vol.  II.  p.  70,)  as  also 
Major  McCall,  (Vol.  I.  p.  124,)  in  the  same  words,  and  some 
others,  incorporate  the  treachery  at  St.  Simons,  and  the  as- 
sault at  St.  Andrews  into  a  connected  narrative,  as  one  oc- 
currence ;  whereas  it  is  very  evident  that  the  circumstances 
detailed  were  distinct ;  one  originating  among  the  troops  which 
sailed  in  the  Hector  and  Blandford,  in  July  1738,  from  Eng- 
land, and  the  other  in  the  two  companies  drawn  from  the  garri- 
son at  Gibraltar,  which  came  in  the  Whittaker  in  the  preced- 
ing month  of  May. 

In  reference  to  the  first.  General  Oglethorpe  thus  wrote  in 
a  letter  to  the  trustees,  dated,  "  on  board  the  Blandford  at 
Plymouth,  July  3d,  1738." 

"  We  have  discovered  that  one  of  our  soldiers  has  been  in 
the  Spanish  service,  and  that  he  hath  stroved  to  seduce  sev- 
eral men  to  desert  with  him  to  them,  on  their  arrival  in  Geor- 


THE  MUTINEERS.  37 1 

gia.  He  designed  also  to  murder  the  officers,  or  such  per- 
sons as  could  have  money,  and  carry  off  the  plunder.  Two 
of  the  gang  have  confessed,  and  accused  him ;  but  we  cannot 
discover  the  rest.  Tlie  fellow  has  plenty  of  money,  and  he 
said  he  was  to  have  sixty  or  a  hundred  crowns,  according  to 
the  number  of  men  he  carried.  He  is  yet  very  obstinate, 
refusing  to  give  any  account  of  his  correspondents.  We 
shall  not  try  him  till  we  come  to  Georgia,  because  we  hope 
we  shall  make  more  discoveries." 

"  They  left  Plymouth  on  the  5th  of  July,  and  arrived  about 
the  16th  of  September,  at  Frederica." 

On  the  8th  of  October,  1738,  occurs  the  following  passage 
in  a  letter  from  Frederica,  to  his  Grace  the  Duke  of  Newcastle. 

"  We  have  discovered  some  men  who  listed  themselves  as 
spies.  We  took  upon  one  of  them  his  furlough  from  Ber 
wick's  regiment  in  the  Irish  troops.  They  strove  to  persuade 
some  of  our  men  to  betray  a  post  to  the  Spaniards  ;  who,  in- 
stead of  complying,  discovered  their  intentions.  I  have  or- 
dered a  general  Court  Martial,  for  the  trying  of  them,  who 
have  not  yet  made  their  report.  One  of  them  owns  himself 
a  Roman  Catholic,  and  denies  the  King  having  any  authority 
over  him." 

"  I  conceive,"  says  Dr.  Stevens,  that  these  two  letters  refer 
to  one  and  the  same  thing,  viz.:  that  there  were  spies,  which 
came  over  with  the  troops  who  arrived  in  September ;  that 
they  designed  to  betray  the  English  posts  ;  that  they  were  to 
murder  the  officers ;  and  defeat  the  object  for  which  the  regi- 
ment was  sent  to  Georgia.  But  this  plot  was  crushed  by  the 
fact  of  its  being  discovered,  the  ring-leaders  seized,  and  a 
Court  Martial  ordered." 

Writing  again  to  the  Duke  of  Newcastle  from  Frederica, 


372  ATTEMPT   AT   ASSASSINATION. 

November  20,  1738,  Oglethorpe  says,  —  "  Those  soldiers  who 
came  from  Gibraltar,  have  mulinied.  The  King  gave  them 
provisions  and  pay  at  Gibraltar.  He  gave  them  but  six 
months  provision  here  ;  after  which  they  were  to  live  upon 
their  pay.  On  the  expiration  of  their  provisions,  they  de- 
manded a  continuance  of  them,  and  not  being  able  to  comply 
with  their  demands,  they  took  to  arms.  One  of  them  fired 
upon  me.  After  a  short  skirmish  we  got  the  better  of  them. 
One  of  the  officers  was  slightly,  and  one  of  the  mutineers 
dangerously  wounded,  and  five  are  secured  prisoners,  to  be 
tried  by  a  Court  Martial.  We  have  strong  reason  to  suspect 
that  our  neighbors  have  tampered  with  these  men.  Many  of 
them  speak  Spanish,  and  some  of  their  boats,*  under  various 
pretences,  came  up  hither  before  my  arrival." 

Upon  this  Dr.  Stevens  remarks  —  "  In  this  case  the  cause 
of  mutiny  had  no  reference  to  the  Spaniards.  While  in  Gib- 
raltar the  troops  had  received  provisions  in  addition  to  their 
pay.  These  were  continued  six  months  after  their  arrival  in 
America  ;  but  when  these  were  withdrawn,  and  nothing  but 
their  bare  pay  left,  they  became  dissatisfied  ;  demanded  ad- 
ditional supplies  ;  and,  on  refusal  by  General  Oglethorpe, 
took  to  their  arms.  Here  was  a  simple  cause  originating 
among  themselves ;  in  the  other  aflair,  the  soldiers  who  created 
the  difficulty  were  acting  as  agents  of  a  foreign  power ;  the 
bribed  and  acknowledged  traitors  to  their  own  country.  In 
the  one  case  it  was  the  sudden  outbreaking  of  discontent, 
owing  to  the  retrenchment  of  their  wages  ;  in  the  other,  it 
was  a  premeditated  and  well-concerted  plan,  framed  by 
Spanish  emissaries  on  the  other  side  of  the  water,  to  be  exe- 
cuted on  this." 

'  He  refers  here  to  boats  from  St.  Augustine. 


NOTICES  OF  TOMO  CHICHI.  373 

Referring  to  the  remark  of  General  Oglethorpe  at  the  close 
of  the  last  letter,  as  also  to  some  suggestions  in  the  letter  of 
mine,  to  which  the  foregoing  was  the  reply,  Dr.  Stevens 
adds  —  "That  the  Spaniards  tampered  with  the  English,  and 
endeavored  to  seduce  them  from  their  allegiance,  is  not  to  be 
doubted  ;  because  it  was  of  the  utmost  importance  to  them  to 
create  divisions  in  the  regiment ;  but  the  one  to  whom  Hewatt 
refers,  as  having  been  '  in  the  Spanish  service,  and  had  so 
much  of  a  Roman  Catholic  spirit,'  is  doubtless  the  same 
spoken  of  by  Oglethorpe  in  July,  upon  whom  a  Court  Martial 
sat  in  September ;  and  who  could  not,  therefore,  have  been 
connected  with  the  mutiny  at  Fort  St.  Andrews,  in  Novem- 
ber." 

XXr.  —  Page  200. 

FURTHER    PARTICULARS    OF    TOBIO    CHICHI. 

In  the  preceding  pages  are  several  references  to  Tomo 
Chichi,  which  show  how  strongly  he  became  attached  to  Ogle- 
thorpe ;  how  liberal  he  was  in  the  grant  of  territory  ;  how 
considerate  in  furnishing  to  the  new  settlers  venison,  wild 
turkeys,  and  other  articles,  as  opportunity  offered,  and  the  oc- 
casion made  particularly  acceptable  ;  how  serviceable  he  was 
in  procuring  such  interviews  with  the  Chiefs  of  the  Upper 
and  Lower  Creeks  as  led  to  amicable  treaties ;  and  how  ready 
to  assist,  not  only  with  his  own  little  tribe,  but  by  his  influence 
with  others,  in  the  contests  with  the  Spaniards.  Some  other 
notices  of  him,  which  bring  out  his  excellent  character  more 
prominently,  but  could  not  be  inserted  in  the  body  of  this 
work,  I  have  deemed  to  be  sufficiently  interesting  to  be  in- 
serted here. 


374  NOTICES  OF  TOMO  CHICHI. 

"  There  were  no  Indians  near  the  Georgians,  before  the 
arrival  of  Oglethorpe,  except  Tomo  Chichi,  and  a  small  tribe 
of  about  thirty  or  forty  men  who  accompanied  him.  They 
were  partly  Lower  Creeks,  and  partly  Yamasees,  who  had 
disobliged  their  countrymen,  and,  for  fear  of  falling  sacrifices 
to  their  resentment,  had  wandered  in  the  woods  till  about  the 
year  1731,  when  they  begged  leave  of  the  Government  of 
Carolina  to  sit  down  at  Yamacraw,  on  the  south  side  of  Savan- 
nah river." ' 

"  Tomo  Chichi  had  in  his  youth  been  a  great  warrior.  He 
had  an  excellent  judgment,  and  a  very  ready  wit,  which 
showed  itself  in  his  answers  upon  all  occasions.  He  was  very 
generous  in  giving  away  all  the  rich  presents  he  received, 
remaining  himself  in  a  willing  poverty,  being  more  pleased  in 
giving  to  others,  than  possessing  himself;  and  he  was  very 
mild  and  good  natured."  ^ 

"  While  Oglethorpe  was  at  Charlestown,  in  June  1733,  an 
Indian  shot  himself  in  the  vicinity.  His  uncle,  (who  was  a 
war-king,)  and  his  friends,  finding  him  dead,  and  fancying 
that  he  had  been  murdered  by  the  English,  declared  that  they 
would  be  revenged  on  them.  Tomo  Chichi,  being  informed 
of  the  uproar,  came  to  the  place  and  strove  to  quiet  the  In- 
dians, saying  that  he  was  persuaded  it  could  not  be  the  Eng- 
lish who  had  killed  him  ;  and  therefore  desired  that  they 
would  inquire  better  into  the  matter.  But  the  uncle,  continu- 
ing in  a  great  rage,  Tomo  Chichi  bared  his  breast  and  said  to 
him,  "  If  you  will  kill  any  body,  kill  me  ;  for  I  am  an  English- 
man."   So  he  pacified  them  ;  and,  upon  the  thorough  examina- 

*  Report  of  the  Committee  of  the  South  Carolina  Assembly,  on 
the  Indian  trade,  4to,  1736,  p.  11. 
'  Gentleman's  Magazine,  1740,  "Vol,  X.  p.  129. 


NOTICES   OF  TOMO   CHICHI.  375 

tion  of  the  matter,  it  was  found  that  for  some  days  he  had  been 
in  despair,  and  desired  several  different  Indians  to  shoot  him  ; 
and  an  Indian  boy  saw  him  kill  himself  in  the  following  man- 
ner; he  put  the  muzzle  of  his  gun  under  his  chin,  and  with 
his  great  toe  pushed  the  trigger."  ^ 

The  visit  of  Tomo  Chichi  to  England  was  greeted  in  some 
beautiful  poetry,  of  which  the  following  stanza  is  an  extract : 

"  What  stranger  this  ?  and  from  what  region  far  ? 

This  wonderous  form,  majestic  to  behold  ? 
Unclothed,  yet  armed  offensive  for  the  war, 

In  hoary  age,  and  wise  experience  old  ? 
His  limbs  inured  to  hardiness  and  toil, 

His  strong  large  limbs,  what  mighty  sinews  brace  ! 
Whilst  truth  sincere  and  artless  virtue  smile 

In  the  expressive  features  of  his  face. 
His  bold,  free  aspect  speaks  the  inward  mind. 

Awed  by  no  slavish  fear,  by  no  vile  passion  blind.' 

Major  McCall,  after  giving  an  account  of  the  visit  of  the 
Indians  to  England,  makes  this  declaration  :  "  Tomo  Chichi 
acknowledged  that  the  Governor  of  the  world,  or  Great 
Spirit,  had  given  the  English  great  wisdom,  power,  and 
riches,  so  that  they  wanted  nothing.  He  had  given  the  In- 
dians great  extent  of  territories,  yet  they  wanted  every  thing. 
Therefore  he  exerted  his  influence  in  prevailing  on  the  Creeks 
to  resign  such  lands  to  the  English  as  were  of  no  use  to  them- 
selves, and  to  allow  them  to  settle  amongst  them  ;  that  they 
might  be  supplied  with  useful  articles  for  cultivation,  and 
necessaries  of  life.  He  told  them  that  the  English  were  a 
generous  nation,  and  would  trade  with  them  on  the  most  hon- 
orable and  advantageous  terms  ;  that  they  were  brethren  and 

'  New  England  Weekly  Journal  for  August  23,  1733. 


376  NOTICES  OF  TOMO  CHICHI. 

friends,  and  would  protect  them  against  danger,  and  go  with 
them  to  war  against  their  enemies."     Vol.  I.  p.  46. 

Mr.  Wesley,  in  his  Journal,  writes  July  1st,  1736  :  "  The 
Indians  had  an  audience,  and  another  on  Saturday,  when 
Chicali,  their  head  man,  dined  with  Mr.  Oglethorpe.  After 
dinner  I  asked  the  grey-headed  old  man,  '  What  he  thought 
he  was  made  for  .? '  He  said,  '  He  that  is  above  knows  what 
he  made  us  for.  We  know  nothing.  We  are  in  the  dark. 
But  white  men  know  much.  And,  yet  white  men  build  great 
houses,  as  if  they  were  to  live  forever.  In  a  little  time  white 
men  will  be  dust  as  well  as  I.'  I  told  him,  'if  red  men  will 
learn  the  good  book,  they  may  know  as  much  as  white  men. 
But  neither  we  nor  you  can  know  that  book,  unless  we  are 
taught  by  Him  that  is  above  ;  and  he  will  not  teach  you  un- 
less you  avoid  what  you  already  know  is  not  good.'  He  an- 
swered, '  I  believe  that ;  He  will  not  teach  us  while  our  hearts 
are  not  white  [pure]  ;  and  our  men  do  what  they  know  is  not 
good.  Therefore  he  that  is  above  does  not  send  us  the  good 
book.'  " 

About  ToMo  Chichi,  the  following  is  given  in  Spence's 
Anecdotes,  p.  318.     (Ed.  Lond.  1820.) 

"  When  General  Oglethorpe  was  conversing  with  a  sensible 
old  native  of  Georgia  about  prayer,  the  latter  said  that  '  they 
never  prayed  to  God,  but  left  it  to  him  to  do  what  he  thought 
to  be  best  for  them  ;  that  the  asking  for  any  particular  bless- 
ing, looked  to  him  like  directing  God  ;  and  if  so,  must  be  a 
very  wicked  thing.  That,  for  his  part,  he  thought  every  thing 
that  happened  in  the  world  was  as  it  should  be  ;  that  God,  of 
himself,  would  do  for  every  one  what  was  consistent  with 
the  good  of  the  whole  ;  and  that  our  duty  to  him  was  to  be 
content  with  whatever  happened  in  general,  and  thankful  for 
all  the  good  that  happened  to  us  in  particular.' " 


NOTICES  OF  TOMO  CHICHI.  377 

The  speech  of  Tomo  Chichi,  on  presenting  the  feather  of 
an  Eagle  to  Oglethorpe,  is  very  expressive  in  his  own  laconic 
explication.  By  a  little  paraphrase  it  may  be  understood  to 
import :  "  The  Eagle  has  a  sharp  beak  for  his  enemies,  but 
down  on  his  breast  for  his  friend.  lie  has  strong  wings,  for 
he  is  aspiring  ;  but  they  give  shelter  to  feeble  ones,  for  he  is 
naturally  propitious." 

•'  ToMo  Chichi  died  on  the  5th  of  October,  1739,  at  his  own 
town,  four  miles  from  Savannah,  of  a  lingering  illness,  being 
aged  about  97.  He  was  sensible  to  the  last  minutes  ;  and 
when  he  was  persuaded  his  death  was  near,  he  showed  the 
greatest  magnanimity  and  sedateness,  and  exhorted  his  people 
never  to  forget  the  favors  he  had  received  from  the  King 
when  in  England,  but  to  persevere  in  their  friendship  with 
the  English.  He  expressed  the  greatest  tenderness  for  Gen- 
eral Oglethorpe,  and  seemed  to  have  no  concern  at  dying, 
but  its  being  at  a  time  when  his  life  might  be  useful  against 
the  Spaniards.  He  desired  that  his  body  might  be  buried 
among  the  English,  in  the  town  of  Savannah,  since  it  was  he 
that  had  prevailed  with  the  Creek  Indians  to  give  the  land, 
and  had  assisted  in  the  founding  of  the  town.  The  corpse 
was  brought  down  by  water.  The  General,  attended  by  the 
Magistrates  and  people  of  the  town,  met  it  upon  the  water's 
edge.  The  corpse  was  carried  into  the  Percival  square.  The 
pall  was  supported  by  the  General,  Colonel  Stephens,  Colonel 
Montaigute,  Mr.  Carteret,  Mrv  Lemon,  and  Mr.  Maxwell.  It 
was  followed  by  the  Indians,  and  Magistrates,  and  people  of 
the  town.  There  was  the  respect  paid  of  firing  minute 
guns  from  the  battery  all  the  time  of  the  procession  ;  and 
funeral  firing  by  the  militia,  who  were  under  arms.  The 
General  has  ordered  a  pyramid  of  stone  which  is  dug  in  this 
48 


378  ■    OGLETHORPE'S  MANIFESTO. 

neighborhood,  to  be  erected  over  the  grave,  which  being  in 
the  centre  of  the  town,  will  be  a  great  ornament  to  it,  as 
well  as  testimony  of  gratitude."  ' 

As  a  frontispiece  to  one  of  the  volumes  of  Urlsperger's 
Journal  of  the  SaUzhurg  Emigrants,  is  an  engraving  of  Toino 
Chichi  and  Toonahowi,  which  bears  the  inscription,  "  Tomo 
Chachi,  Mico,  and  Toonahowi,  the  son  of  his  brother^  the 
Mice,  or  king  of  Etichitas ;  engraved  in  Augsburg  after  the 
London  original,  by  John  Jacob  Kleinshmidt." 

In  1738,  a  dramatic  entertainment  in  three  acts,  entitled 
Timbo  Chiqui,  was  published  by  John  Cleland.  [Nichols's 
Literary  Anecdotes,  Vol.  II.  p.  459. 

TooNAHOWi  was  killed,  valiantly  fighting  for  the  English 
against  the  Yamasee  Indians,  at  Lake  di  Pupa,  in  1743. 


XXII.  — Page  224. 

MANIFESTO    BY    GENERAL    OGLETHORPE. 

Charlestown,  Ajjril  1,  1740. 

Whereas  upon  mature  deliberation  it  is  resolved  to  defend 
these  Provinces  by  invading  the  Province  of  Florida,  and  at- 
tacking St.  Augustine,  in  order  to  remove  the  enemy  that  from 
thence  may  molest  his  Majesty's  subjects  in  America,  which 
enemy  both  have  and  do  continue  to  foment  and  countenance 
the  slaves  to  rebellion,  burning  houses,  murders,  and  other 
cruelties,  of  which  the  circumstances  of  the  late  massacre  in 

•  Gentleman  s  Magazine,  1740,  Vol.  X.  p.  129,  and  London  Maga- 
zine, 1758,  Vol.  LVII.  p.  24.  The  account  of  the  death  and  funeral 
of  Tomo  Chichi,  much  like  the  above,  is  given  in  the  Journal  of 
W.  Stephens,  who  was  present.    Vol.  II.  p.  153. 


OGLETHORPE'S  MANIFESTO.  379 

this  Province  is  too  sad  a  proof ;  and  whereas  the  General 
Assembly  of  this  Province  hath  ordered  forces  to  be  raised, 
so  that  an  army  composed  of  various  troops  and  Indians  are 
to  assist  in  invading  the  Spanish  dominions  of  Florida  ;  I, 
therefore,  to  prevent  any  disorders  that  may  arise  in  the  said 
army  by  virtue  of  powers  received  from  his  Majesty  authoriz- 
ing and  empowering  me,  (for  the  better  government  of  the 
forces  during  their  continuance  under  my  command,)  to  pre- 
pare and  publish  such  rules  and  ordinances  as  are  fit  to  be 
observed  by  all  officers  and  soldiers  :  in  regard,  therefore,  to 
the  regiment  of  foot  raised  in  South  Carolina,  I  do  constitute 
and  appoint  that  Alexander  Vanderdussen,  Esq.,  Colonel  of 
the  said  regiment,  paid  by  the  government  of  South  Carolina, 
shall  hold  regimental  courts  martial  for  the  trials  of  such 
offences  as  shall  be  committed  by  the  officers  and  soldiers  of 
that  regiment ;  and  that  the  said  court  martial  shall  consist  of 
the  officers  of  that  regiment  only ;  and  that  the  Colonel  of  the 
said  regiment  shall  sit  as  President  of  the  said  regimental 
courts  martial,  and  make  a  report  to  me,  and  that  according 
to  the  judgment  of  the  said  Courts  1  shall  cause  sentence  to 
be  pronounced,  in  case  1  approve  of  the  same,  or  otherwise 
suspend  the  same  as  I  shall  see  cause.  And  I  do  further 
declare  that  this  authority  shall  continue  for  the  space  of  four 
months  from  the  commencement  of  the  said  expedition,  and 
no  longer ;  and  that  after  the  expiration  of  the  said  four 
months,  or  other  sooner  determination  of  the  said  expedition, 
every  officer  and  soldier,  whether  volunteers  from,  or  in  the 
pay  of  the  government  of  Carolina,  shall  have  free  liberty  to 
depart  and  return  to  their  habitations,  and  that  a  free  pass  (if 
by  them  required,)  shall  be  respectively  granted  unto  them, 
against  being  impressed,  impeded,  enlisted,  or  detained,  by 


380  COLONEL  PALMER. 

any  authority,  civil  or  military,  whatsoever,  that  may  be  exer- 
cised by  or  derived  from  me. 

And  I  do  further  declare  that  if  the  officers  of  his  Majesty's 
ships  of  war  shall  land  men  to  assist  the  land  forces,  one  full 
moiety  of  all  the  plunder  that  shall  be  taken  in  such  service, 
shall  go  to  the  officers  and  men  in  his  Majesty's  said  sea-ser- 
vice, whose  ships  are  assisting  in  the  said  expedition  ;  and  that 
all  plunder  taken  and  accruing  to  the  officers  and  men  in  the 
land  service  shall  be  divided  among  the  officers  and  men  of 
the  land  sei'vice,  in  the  same  manner  and  proportion  as  prizes 
are  distributed  among  the  officers  and  men  in  his  Majesty's 
sea-service,  according  to  the  laws  and  rules  of  his  Majesty's 
navy. 

And  I  do  further  declare  that  whatever  share  of  plunder 
shall  come  to  me  as  General  and  commander  of  the  said 
forces,  I  will  apply  the  same  totally  towards  the  relief  of  such 
men  as  may  happen  to  be  maimed  or  wounded  in  the  said 
expedition,  and  towards  assisting  the  widows  and  children  of 
any  of  the  said  forces  that  may  happen  to  be  killed  in  the  said 
service  ;  and  for  the  rewarding  of  such  as  shall  perform  any 
distinguished  brave  action. 

No  Indian  enemy  is  to  be  taken  as  a  slave,  for  all  Spanish 
and  Indian  prisoners  do  belong  to  his  Majesty,  and  are  to  be 
treated  as  prisoners,  and  not  as  slaves. 

James  Oglethorpe. 

XXIII.— Page  235. 

COLONEL    PALMER. 

■"  As  no  final  agreement  with  respect  to  the  limits  of  the 
two  provinces  had  been  concluded,  the  Indians  in  alliance  with 


SIEGE  OF  ST.  AUGUSTINE.  381 

Spain  continued  to  harass  the  British  settlements.  Scalping 
parties  of  the  Yamasees  frequently  penetrated  into  Carolina  ; 
killed  white  men,  and  carried  off  every  negro  they  could  find. 
Though  the  owners  of  slaves  had  been  allowed  from  the  Span- 
ish government  a  compensation  in  money  for  their  losses,  yet 
few  of  them  ever  received  it.  At  length  Colonel  Palmer 
resolved  to  make  reprisals  upon  the  plunderers.  For  this 
purpose  he  gathered  together  a  party  of  militia  and  friendly 
Indians,  consisting  of  about  three  hvmdred  men,  and  entered 
Florida  with  a  resolution  of  spreading  desolation  throughout 
the  province.  He  carried  his  arms  as  far  as  the  gates  of  St. 
Augustine,  and  compelled  the  inhabitants  to  take  refuge  in 
their  castle.  Scarce  a  house  or  hut  in  the  Colony  escaped  the 
flames.  He  destroyed  their  provisions  in  the  fields ;  drove  off 
their  hogs,  cattle,  and  horses  ;  and  left  the  Floridians  little 
property,  except  what  was  protected  by  the  guns  of  their  fort. 
By  this  expedition  he  demonstrated  to  the  Spaniards  their 
weakness  ;  and  that  the  Carolinians,  whenever  they  pleased, 
could  prevent  the  cultivation  and  settlement  of  their  Province 
so  as  to  render  the  improvement  of  it  impracticable  on  any 
other  than  peaceable  terms  with  their  neighbors."  ' 

XXIV.  — Pace  239. 

AN  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  SIEGE  OF  ST.  AUGUSTINE,  IN  A  LETTER 
FROM  ON  BOARD  THE  HECTOR. 

"May  oOth,  [1740]  we  arrived  near  St.  Augustine.  June 
1st  we  were  joined  by  the  Flamborough,  Captain  Pearse  ;  the 

*  Hewatt's  History  of  South  Carolina,  Vol.  I.  p.  314,  and  Dr. 
Ramsay's  History  of  South  Carolina,  Vol.  I.  p.  137;  where  it  is 
quoted,  word  for  word,  without  acknowledgment. 


382  SIEGE  OF  ST.   AUGUSTINE. 

Phcenix,  Captain  Fanshaw  ;  the  Tartar,  Captain  Townshend  ; 
and  the  Squirrel,  Capt.  Warren,  of  twenty  guns  each  ;  besides 
the  Spence  Sloop,  Captain  Laws,  and  the  Wolf,  Captain  Dan- 
dridge.  On  the  2d  Colonel  Vanderdussen,  with  three  hundred 
Carolina  soldiers,  appeared  to  the  north  of  the  town.  On  the 
9th  General  Oglethorpe  came  by  sea  with  three  hundred  sol- 
diers and  three  hundred  Indians  from  Georgia  :  on  the  which 
they  were  carried  on  shore  in  the  men-of-war's  boats,  under 
the  cover  of  the  small  ships'  guns.  They  landed  on  the  Island 
Eustatia,  without  opposition,  and  took  the  look-out.  The  13tli 
Captain  Warren,  in  a  schooner  and  other  armed  sloops  and 
pettiauguas  anchored  in  their  harbor,  just  out  of  cannon  shot, 
until  the  26th,  when  the  sailors  were  employed  in  landing 
ordnance  and  other  stores,  within  reach  of  the  enemy's  cannon. 
On  which  occasion  they  discovered  a  surprising  spirit  and 
intrepidity.  The  same  night  two  batteries  were  raised  ;  but 
too  far  off.  The  27th  the  General  summoned  the  Governor 
to  surrender ;  who  sent  word  he  should  be  glad  to  shake  hands 
with  him  in  his  castle.  This  haughty  answer  was  occasioned 
by  a  dear-bought  victory  which  five  hundred  Spaniards  had 
obtained  over  eighty  Highlanders,  fifty  of  whom  were  slain  ; 
but  died  like  heroes,  killing  thrice  their  number.  The  29th, 
bad  weather,  obliged  the  men-of-war  to  put  to  sea,  out  of 
which  but  one  man  had  been  killed.  Hereupon  the  siege  was 
raised." 

Letter  from  General  Oglethorpe  to  Rev.  J.  M.  Bolzius. 

Heverend  Sir, 

Though  God  has  not  been  pleased  to  prosper  us  with  the 
success  of  taking  St.  Augustine,  yet  we  are  to  thank  him  for 
the  safe  return  of  the  greatest  part  of  our  men,  and  that  the 
pride  of  our  enemy  has  been  curbed. 


SIEGE  OF   ST.  AUGUSTINE.  383 

ThosG  men  who  came  from  Ebenezer,  and  that  were  in  the 
CaroUna  regiment,  I  have  ordered  to  be  sent  up  to  you  again. 
I  recommend  myself  to  your  prayers, 
and  am,  Reverend  Sir, 

Your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

James  Oglethorpe. 
Frederica,  5  August,  1740. 

From  the  Gentleman's  Magazine,  for  Novemler,  1740. 

A  letter  in  the  Daily  Post  of  the  26th,  dated  from  Charles- 
town,  South  Carolina,  having  laid  the  ill  success  at  Fort  St. 

Augustine  on  the  ill  conduct  of ,  some  particulars  of 

which  are  :  1st,  that  the  cattle  taken  at  a  cow-pen  of  one 
Diego,  twenty-five  miles  from  the  town.  May  12,  were  not 
distributed  to  the  soldiery  ;  2d,  that  the  people  might  have 
entered  the  town  without  opposition,  but  were  not  suffered  ; 
3d,  that  the  men  were  needlessly  harassed  ;  4th,  that  Colonel 
Palmer,  who  was  sent  to  Negro  Fort,  two  miles  from  the  town, 
with  one  hundred  and  thirty-three  men  to  alarm  the  Spaniards 

was  not  supported  by ,  who  staid  six  or  seven  miles 

off;  5th,  that  Colonel  Palmer  being  attacked  by  five  hundred 
Spaniards,  shot  three  of  them  after  they  had  entered  the  fort ; 
6th,  that  Captain  Warren  was  the  life  and  spirit  of  the  cause  ; 
7th,  that  the  Volunteers,  seeing  no  prospect  of  succeeding 
under  such  mad  conduct,  as  they  called  it,  daily  went  off, — 
the  following  answer  was  published. 

"  Upon  seeing  a  letter  misrepresenting,  in  the  most  false  and 
malicious  manner,  the  late  expedition  against  St.  Augustine  ; 
aiming  thereby  to  defame  the  character  of  a  gentleman,  whose 
unwearied  endeavors  for  the  public  service,  have  greatly  im- 
paired his  health  ;  and   as  I,  who  am  a  Captain  in  General 


384  SIEGE  OF  ST.  AUGUSTINE. 

Oglethorpe's  regiment,  was  present,  and  acted  upon  that  occa- 
sion as  Brigadier  Major,  and  must  know  the  whole  transactions, 
I  think  it  my  duty  to  take  notice  of  it. 

"  As  to  the  cow-pen  it  speaks  of,  it  is  a  square  Fort,  with 
four  carriage  guns  and  four  swivel  guns,  and  had  a  garrison 
in  it  of  forty-seven  soldiers  of  the  regular  troops,  and  seven 
negroes,  who  were  all  made  prisoners  of  war.  The  cattle 
found  there,  and  in  parts  adjacent,  were  distributed  to  the 
King's  troops  and  the  Cax'olina  regiment. 

"  In  respect  to  the  Carolina  people  being  ready  to  enter  the 
town  of  Augustine  without  opposition  ;  it  is  entirely  false,  and 
without  the  least  foundation. 

"  In  regard  to  Colonel  Palmer's  misfortune,  who  was  killed 
in  the  first  fire  from  the  Spaniards  ;  he  brought  it  upon  himself 
by  disobeying  the  orders  he  received,  which  positively  enjoined 
his  keeping  in  the  woods,  and  avoiding  action,  and  by-acting 
contrary  to  the  advice  of  the  officers  under  his  command, 
some  of  whom  were  present  when  he  received  his  orders,  and 
lodging  himself  in  the  Negro  Fort  Moosa,  where  they  were 
surrounded  and  defeated  ;  the  gates  of  which  fort,  and  the 
house  within  it,  the  General  had  before  burnt. 

"  With  respect  to  the  Carolina  Volunteei's ;  that  they  did  go 
away  is  certain,  without  leave  given,  or  asked,  and  their  Cap- 
tain with  them.  A  Captain  of  the  Carolina  regiment  also  left 
his  command  in  the  guard  of  the  trenches,  without  being  re- 
lieved, or  asking  any  leave,  and  went  with  them.  After  such 
behavior,  what  credit  can  be  given  to  such  men,  though  termed 
persons  of  note  ? 

"  As  to  Captain  Warren,  whose  name  is  mentioned  to  en- 
deavor to  throw  an  odium  elsewhere  ;  I  am  convinced  by  the 
personal  acquaintance  I  have  with  him,  that  he  will  upon  all 


SPANISH  INVASION.  385 

occasions,  do  his  duty  in  the  service  of  his  King  and  country  ; 
as  also  Captain  Law  and  Captain  Townshend,  that  were  ashore 
with  him. 

"The  morning  after  we  landed  upon  the  Island  of  Anas- 
tatia,  I  stood  by  while  Captain  Warren  read  to  General  Ogle- 
thorpe a  letter  to  Captain  Pearse,  then  Commodore,  acquainting 
him  of  our  landing  without  any  loss,  and  the  Spaniards  with- 
drawing from  that  Island,  on  which  Captain  Warren  said,  all 
that  was  now  necessary  to  secure  the  reduction  of  the  place, 
was  the  taking  of  the  Spanish  galleys,  which  undertaking  he 
would  himself  head  with  the  King's  boats  under  the  cannon 
of  the  fort,  if  he  would  give  him  leave.  Several  councils  of 
war  were  held  on  board  his  Majesty's  ships  by  the  sea  cap- 
tains, but  Captain  Warren's  proposition  was  not  undertaken. 

"  Lest  malicious  people  should  suggest  that  I  might  be  sent 
to  England  by  General  Oglethorpe  on  this  occasion,  I  solemnly 
declare,  that  I  came  at  my  own  desire  by  his  leave,  and  had 
no  instructions  from  him,  directly  or  indirectly,  concerning 
this  aHair ;  but  my  regard  to  truth,  and  abhorrence  of  all  false 
and  malicious  reports  whatsoever,  have  induced  me  to  publish 
this,  to  which  I  set  my  name.  Hugh  Mackay. 

Johnsoti's  Courts  Charing  Cross,  Nov.  29,  1740. 

XXV.  —  Page  249. 

SPANISH    INVASION. 

For  details  of  the  Spanish  invasion  in  1742,  I  refer  to  the 
Gentlemmi's  Magazine^  Vol.  XII.  pages  494,  496,  550,  and 
661  ;  and  would  here  remark  that  Patrick  Sutherland,  Lieu- 
tenant of  General  Oglethorpe's  regiment,  was  sent  express  to 
England  to  give  an  account  of  the  war,  and  was  furnished 
49 


386  SPANISH  INVASION. 

with  a  minute  Journal  of  the  occurrences  ;  but,  being  taken 
by  a  Spanish  privateer,  he  threw  his  papers  into  the  sea.  A 
circumstantial  relation,  however,  having  been  sent  by  another 
conveyance  to  the  Trustees,  was  attested  and  confirmed  by 
Lieutenant  Sutherland  on  his  arrival  in  London  ;  and  was  pub- 
lished in  the  London  Gazette  of  December  25th,  and  thence 
transferred  into  the  Gentlemcui's  Magazine,  for  1742,  p.  693, 
and  was  afterwards  repeated  in  the  London  Magazine  for 
1758,  p.  79.  There  is  also  in  Harris's  Collection  of  Voyages, 
Vol.  II.  p.  324-347,  a  very  particular  account  of  the  Span- 
ish invasion,  which  is  introduced  by  the  following  remarks  : 
"  As  to  the  manner  in  which  they  executed  it  at  last ;  and  the 
amazing  disappointment  they  met  with,  notwithstanding  the 
vast  force  they  employed,  and  the  smallness  of  that  by  which 
they  were  assisted,  we  had  so  full,  so  clear,  and  so  authentic 
an  account  published  by  authority,  that  I  know  of  no  method 
more  fit  to  convey  an  idea  of  it,  or  less  liable  to  any  excep- 
tions than  transcribing  it."  Of  this  I  have  freely  availed  my- 
self, and  have  distinguished  the  direct  quotations  by  inverted 
commas,  but  without  repeating  the  references  in  marginal 
notes. 

This  account  is  concluded  with  the  following  remarks  :  "  I 
must  observe,  before  I  conclude  this  chapter,  that  if  there  be 
any  thing  in  it  which  ought  in  a  particular  manner  to  claim 
the  attention  of  the  public,  it  is,  in  a  great  measure,  due  to 
the  lights  afforded  by  the  Honorable  James  Oglethorpe,  from 
whom,  if  the  author  has  caught  any  part  of  that  generous 
spirit  which  inclines  a  man  to  bend  all  his  thoughts  and  turn 
all  his  labors  to  the  service  of  his  country,  it  is  but  just  that 
he  should  acknowledge  it ;  and  this  he  is  the  more  ready  to 
do,  because,  if  there  be  any  merit  in  his  performance,  capa- 


ORDER   FOR  A  THANKSGIVING.  387 

ble  of  making  it  known  to  and  esteemed  by  posterity,  he 
would  willingly  consecrate  it  as  a  mark  of  his  esteem  and 
gratitude  for  the  many  informations  he  has  received,  and  the 
right  turn  that  has  been  given  to  his  inquiries,  by  that  knowing 
and  worthy  person,  who  is  equally  happy  in  rendering  the 
greatest  personal  services  himself  to  the  community,  and  in 
infusing  the  like  disposition  in  others,  both  by  his  example  and 
conversation." 

Some  extracts  are  also  inserted  in  my  narrative  from  an 
account  of  the  Invasion  of  Georgia,  taken  from  the  Diary  of 
the  Preachers  at  Ehenezer.  [Urlsperger,  Vol.  IV.  p.  1252.] 
This  is  principally  derived  from  intelligence  by  despatches  to 
Savannah,  and  contains  three  letters  from  Oglethorpe.  Just 
as  my  manuscript  was  going  to  the  press,  I  was  favored  by 
my  obliging  friend.  Dr.  Stevens,  of  Savannah,  with  a  copy  of 
General  Oglethorpe's  despatch  to  the  Duke  of  Newcastle  ;  in 
season,  however,  to  profit  by  it. 

XXVI.  — Page  268. 

COPY  OF  AN  ORDER  FOR  A  THANKSGIVING  TO  BE  HELD  TO  THE 
PRAISE  OF  GOD,  THAT  HE  HAS  PUT  AN  END  TO  THE  SPANISH 
INVASION.^ 

Almighty  God  has  at  all  times  displayed  his  power  and 
mercy  in  the  wonderful  and  gracious  delivery  of  his  Church  ; 
and  in  the  protection  of  pious  and  godly  rulers  and  people, 
who  have  acknowledged  and  served  him,  against  the  ungodly 
conspiracies  and  violent  practices  of  all  their  enemies.  He 
has  by  the  interposition  of  his  Providence  rescued  us  from 
the  assaults  of  the   Spaniards.     They  came  out  against  us 

'  From  the  German  translation  of  the  Reverend  Mr.  Bolzius. 


388  ORDER  FOR  A  THANKSGIVING. 

with  fourteen  sail  of  light  galleys,  into  Cumberland  sound,  but 
fear  came  upon  them,  and  they  fled  at  his  rebuke.  Again 
they  came  with  a  mighty  fleet  of  thirty-six  ships  and  vessels, 
into  Jekyl  sound,  and  after  a  sharp  contest  became  masters  of 
the  fort,  since  we  had  but  four  vessels  to  oppose  their  whole 
force  ;  but  He  was  there  the  shield  of  our  people  ;  for,  in  the 
unequal  conflict  in  which  we  held  out  bravely  for  four 
hours,  not  one  of  our  men  was  killed,  although  many  of  theirs 
were,  and  five  by  a  single  shot.  They  landed  with  four 
thousand  five  hundred  men  upon  this  island,  according  to  the 
account  of  the  prisoners  we  took,  yea  even  of  the  English- 
men who  escaped  from  them.  The  first  party  marched 
through  the  woods  towards  this  town,  (Frederica)  when,  be- 
fore a  small  number  of  our  people,  they  were  dispersed,  and 
fled.  Another  party  which  supported  that,  fought  also,  but 
was  discomfited.  We  may  say  surely  the  hand  of  God  was 
raised  for  our  defence,  for  in  the  two  skirmishes  more  than  five 
hundred  fled  before  fifty  ;  though  the  enemy  fought  vigorously 
a  long  time,  and,  especially,  fired  their  grenades  with  great 
spirit ;  but  their  shooting  did  little  hurt,  so  that  not  one  of  us 
was  killed ;  but  they  were  thrown  into  great  confusion,  and 
pursued  with  so  great  loss,  that  according  to  the  account  of 
the  Spaniards  since  made  prisoners,  more  than  two  hundred 
returned  not  to  their  camp  again.  They  advanced  with 
their  galleys  against  our  fortress,  but  were  disappointed 
and  withdrew  without  discharging  a  shot.  After  this, 
fear  came  upon  them,  and  they  fled,  leaving  behind  them 
some  cannon,  and  many  other  things  which  they  had  taken 
on  shore.  Next,  with  twenty-eight  sail  they  attacked  Fort 
William,  in  which  there  were  only  fifty  men,  and  after  a 
contest  of  three  hours,  they  desisted,  and  left  the  Province. 


ORDER  FOR  A  THANKSGIVING.  389 

And  so  wonderfully  were  we  protected  and  preserved,  that  in 
this  great  and  formidable  conflict  but  few  of  our  men  were 
taken,  and  but  three  killed.  Truly  the  Lord  hath  done  great 
things  for  us,  by  rescuing  us  from  the  power  of  a  numerous 
foe,  who  boasted  that  they  would  conquer  and  dispossess  us. 
Not  our  strength  or  might  hath  saved  us  ;  our  salvation  is  of 
the  Lord,  Therefore  it  is  highly  becoming  us  to  render 
thanks  to  God  our  deliverer.  For  this  purpose,  and  in  regard 
to  these  considerations,  I  liereby  appoint  that  the  twenty-fifth 
day  of  this  month  should  be  held  as  a  day  of  public  Thanks- 
giving to  Almighty  God  for  his  great  deliverance,  and  the 
end  that  is  put  to  this  Spanish  invasion.  And  I  enjoin  that 
every  one  observe  this  festival  in  a  christian  and  godly  man- 
ner ;  abstaining  from  intemperance  and  excess,  and  from  all 
extravagant  signs  of  rejoicing. 

Given  under  my  own  hand  and  seal  this  twenty-first  day  of 
July,  at  Frederica  in  Georgia,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  forty-two. 

James  Oglethorpe. 

[Under  the  date  of  September,  the  Eev.  Mr.  Bolzius  makes 
this  entry  in  his  diary  — "  Mr.  Jones  told  me  lately,  that 
the  people  and  soldiers  at  Frederica,  on  the  day  when  the 
Thanksgiving  was  held,  observed  such  a  stillness  and  good 
order  as  he  had  never  seen  there.  There  was  also  a  very 
pertinent  and  devout  ascription  of  praise  read,  which  he  (and 
Mr.  Jones  is  a  good  judge  of  edifying  things,)  pronounce  to 
be  very  excellent ;  and,  moreover,  he  maintained  that  it  must 
have  been  prepared  and  composed  by  General  Oglethorpe 
himself,  for  there  was  neither  preacher  nor  school-master  at 
Frederica  at  that  time." '] 

•  Uklsfekgkr,  IV.  p.  1261. 


390  SPANISH  AND  ENGLISH  FORCE. 

XXVII.  — Page  268. 

A  LIST  OF  THE  SPANISH  FORCES  EMPLOYED  IN  THE  INVASION 
OF  GEORGIA,  UNDER  THE  COMMAND  OF  DON  MANUEL  DE 
MONTEANO. 

One  Regiment  of  dismounted  Dragoons,        .         .  400 

Havana  Regiment,           ......  500 

Havana  Militia,            1000 

Regiment  of  Artillery, 400 

Florida  Militia, 400 

Batalion  of  Mulattoes, 300 

Black  Regiment, 400 

Indians,            . 90 

Marines, 600 

Seamen, 1000 


Total  5090 

General  Oglethorpe's  command  consisted  of, 

His  Regiment,     .......         472 

Company  of  Rangers, 30 

Highlanders,        .......  50 

Armed  Militia,  ..:....     40 

Indians, 60 

Total  652 

Ensign  Stewart's  command  at  Fort  William,  on  the  south 
end  of  Cumberland  Island,  consisted  of  sixty  men.  Fort  Wil- 
liam was  about  fifty  miles  south-west  from  Frederica. 


SILK  CULTURE  IN  GEORGIA.  391 

XXVIII. 

A     BRIEF     HISTORY     OF     THE     SILK     CULTURE     IN     GEORGIA, 
BY    WILLIAM    B.    STEVENS,    M.    D. 

One  of  the  principal  designs  which  influenced  the  settle- 
ment of  Georgia,  was  the  hope  of  thereby  creating  a  silk- 
growing  province,  where  that  material  for  which  England  had 
so  long  been  indebted  to  France,  Italy  and  China,  could  be 
produced  in  this  colonial  dependency. 

As  early  as  1609,  the  subject  engaged  the  attention  of  the 
adventurers  to  Virginia,  and  in  a  pamphlet,  called  "  Nova 
Brittannia  offering  most  excellent  fruites  by  planting  in  Vir- 
ginia," published  that  year,  the  writer  says  "there  are  silke- 
worms,  and  plenty  of  mulberie-trees,  whereby  ladies,  gentle- 
women and  little  children  (being  set  in  the  way  to  do  it)  may 
bee  all  imploied  with  pleasure,  making  silke  comparable  to 
that  of  Persia,  Turkey,  or  any  other."  In  1650,  Mr.  Samuel 
Hartlib  published  a  work  entitled  "  Virginia  Discovery  of 
Silk  Wormes,  with  their  Benefits,"  in  which  he  endeavored 
to  show  that  the  raising  of  silk  was  a  thing  very  practicable 
in  Virginia,  and  even  asserted  that  as  a  staple,  it  might  be 
made  superior  to  tobacco,  in  which  opinion  he  was  confirmed 
by  the  judgment  of  several  others.  That  they  made  some 
advances  in  this  culture,  is  evident  from  the  fact  that  the  Coro- 
nation robe  of  Charles  II.,  in  1660,  was  made  of  silk  reeled 
in  that  colony,  and  even  so  late  as  1730,  three  hundred  pounds 
of  the  raw  material  were  exported  from  Virginia.  Tobacco, 
however,  soon  assumed  and  maintained  the  ascendancy,  to 
the  exclusion  of  this  more  useful  and  beautiful  produce. 

In  1703,  Sir  Nathaniel  Johnson  introduced  the  silk  culture 


392  SILK  CULTURE  IN  GEORGIA. 

into  South  Carolina,  but  the  astonishinc;  success  which  re- 
wardecl  the  casual  introduction  of  rice  into  the  plantation 
about  eight  years  before,  precluded  a  just  interest  in  the  un- 
dertaking, and  as  a  public  and  recognized  commodity  it  soon 
came  to  naught,  though  several  persons,  more  for  amusement 
than  profit,  still  gave  their  attention  to  it ;  and  as  late  as  1755, 
Mrs.  Pinckney,  the  same  lady  to  whom  the  province  was  in- 
debted for  the  first  cultivation  of  indigo  ten  years  before, 
reeled  sufficient  silk  in  the  vicinity  of  Charleston  to  make 
three  dresses,  one  of  which  was  presented  to  the  Princess 
Dowager  of  Wales,  another  to  Lord  Chesterfield,  and  the 
third,  says  Ramsay,  who  narrates  the  circumstance,  "  is  now 
(1809)  in  Charleston  in  the  possession  of  her  daughter,  Mrs. 
Horrey,  and  is  remarkable  for  its  beauty,  firmness  and 
strength." 

But  notwithstanding  these  failures  and  the  known  difliculty 
of  introducing  a  new  branch  of  agriculture  into  a  country,  as 
was  evidenced  by  the  compulsion  which  was  necessary  by 
Henry  IV.  to  introduce  it  into  France,  against  the  united 
voices  of  the  merchants-traders,  and  even  in  opposition  to 
the  Duke  of  Sully,  and  also  the  indifference  manifested  in 
England,  notwithstanding  the  able  proclamation  of  King 
James  on  the  subject,  commanding  its  cultivation  ;  the  Trus- 
tees for  the  settlement  of  Georgia  determined  to  make  one 
more  effort,  which,  if  successful,  would  enrich  both  the  pro- 
vince and  the  mother  country.  The  views  which  they  enter- 
tained, however,  of  making  Georgia  supplant  every  silk-grow- 
ing country,  were  extravagant  and  erroneous ;  they  expected, 
in  fact,  to  supply  all  Europe,  and  to  produce  an  article  of 
equal  strength,  beauty  and  value,  with  any  made  on  the  Con- 
tinent.    The  Piedmontese,  thought  they,  who  pay  half  of  their 


SILK   CULTURE   IN   GEORGIA.  393 

silk  for  the  rent  of  the  mulberry  trees  and  the  eggs  of  the 
worm,  or  the  peasants  of  France,  burdened  with  political  dif- 
ficulty and  stinted  for  conveniences,  could  not  cope  with  the 
settlers  of  Georgia,  where  the  mulberry  (morus  alba)  trees 
would  grow  in  the  greatest  luxuriance,  where  timber  for  their 
fabrics  was  no  expense,  where  room  was  abundant  and  the 
reward  sure.  By  this  transfer,  in  addition  to  a  direct  saving  to 
England  of  over  £00,000Z.  which  she  paid  for  this  article  to 
foreign  countries,  twenty  thousand  people  were  to  find  employ- 
ment in  rearing  it  in  Georgia,  and  as  many  more  at  home  in 
preparing  it  for  market. 

Among  the  first  emigrants  who  sailed  with  Oglethorpe  from 
England  in  November  1732,  was  Mr.  Amatis,  from  Piedmont, 
who  was  engaged  by  the  Trustees  to  introduce  the  art  of  silk- 
winding  into  the  colony,  and  who  for  that  purpose  brought 
with  him  several  Italians  and  some  adequate  machinery. 
White  mulberry  trees  were  planted  in  a  portion  of  land  on 
the  eastern  border  of  the  city,  called  the  Trustees'  garden  ; 
eggs  were  hatched,  and  silk  spun  "  as  fine  as  any  from  France 
or  Italy."  They  soon,  however,  came  to  a  mutual  rupture, 
and  the  whole  process  was  for  a  time  suspended  by  the  treach- 
ery of  those  employed,  who  broke  the  machinery,  spoiled  the 
seed,  destroyed  the  trees,  and  then  escaped  to  Carolina.  Suf- 
ficient, however,  had  been  wrought  to  test  its  value,  and  they 
were  not  discouraged  by  this  inauspicious  commencement. 
The  Trustees  still  adhei-ed  to  their  design,  and  the  more 
effectually  to  advance  it,  required  of  every  settler  that  there 
should  be  on  his  grant,  ten  mulberry  trees  to  each  acre. 

Mr.  Camuse  and  his  wife,  both  Italians,  were  now  entrusted 
with  this  business,  in  which  they  were  continued  six  years  ; 
the  two  first  at  a  salary  of  60Z.  per  annum,  and  the  four 
50 


394  SILK  CULTURE  IN  GEORGIA. 

last  at  lOOZ.  besides  the  rent  of  a  dwelling  house  and 
garden. 

In  June  1734,  General  Oglethorpe  carried  eight  pounds  of 
raw  silk,  the  first  produced  in  Georgia,  to  England,  which  was 
followed  by  a  small  trunk  full  of  the  same  article,  on  the  2d 
of  April,  1735,  and  after  being  made  into  orgazine,  by  the 
engine  of  Sir  Thomas  Lombe,  at  Derby,  who  said  that  it 
"  proved  exceedingly  good  through  all  the  operations,"  was 
sent  up  to  London  on  the  13th  of  August,  1735,  when  the 
Trustees,  together  with  Sir  Thomas  Lombe,  waited  on  her 
majesty  Queen  Caroline  and  exhibited  to  her  the  elegant  spe- 
cimen of  Georgia  silk.  The  queen  selected  a  portion  of  this 
parcel  to  be  wove  into  a  pattern,  and  being  again  waited  on 
by  these  gentlemen  and  Mr.  Booth,  the  silk  weaver,  on  the 
21st  of  September,  she  expressed  "  a  great  satisfaction  for 
the  beauty  and  fineness  of  the  silk,  the  richness  of  the  pat- 
tern, and  at  seeing  so  early  a  product  from  that  colony;" 
and  to  express  her  pleasure  at  such  a  favorable  result,  a  com- 
plete court-dress  was  made  from  it,  and  on  His  Majesty's  next 
birth-day,  she  appeared  at  the  levee  in  a  full  robe  of  Georgia 
silk. 

On  the  return  of  Oglethorpe,  in  1735,  he  renewed  his  en- 
deavors to  bring  it  into  active  operation.  For  the  purpose  of 
obtaining  a  sufficient  quantity  of  seed,  he  allowed  no  silk  to 
be  reeled  that  year,  but  let  the  worms  deposit  their  eggs.  He 
required,  also,  that  the  Italian  women  should  teach  a  number 
of  the  colonists,  and  thus  render  general  the  knowledge  they 
could  impart.  The  Saltzburgers  at  Ebenezer  were  the  most 
forward  to  adopt  his  views,  and  in  March  28,  1736,  Rev.  Mr. 
Bolzius  gave  one  tree  to  each  inhabitant  as  a  present  from 
Oglethorpe,  and  two  of  his  congregation  were  instructed  in 


SILK  CULTURE  IN  GEORGIA.  395    * 

the  art  of  reeling,  by  Mrs.  Camuse.  But  though  Oglethorpe 
gave  Mr.  Bolzius  trees,  silk  Worms,  and  a  book  of  instructions, 
yet  he  confesses  that  he  felt  no  interest  in  the  business,  nor 
inclination  to  pursue  it. 

In  July,  1739,  Mr.  Samuel  Augspourger  carried  over  a  par- 
cel of  raw  silk  which  he  received  from  Mr.  Jones,  the  Trus- 
tees' store-keeper  in  Savannah,  and  which  was  declared  by 
eminent  judges  to  be  "equal  to  any  Italian  silk,  and  worth 
full  twenty  shillings  per  pound." 

On  May  11,  1741,  Mr.  Bolzius  in  his  journal  states  that 
twenty  girls,  during  the  last  two  months,  succeeded  in  making 
seventeen  pounds  of  cocoons  which  were  sold  on  Friday  last 
at  Savannah  for  3/.  8s.  During  this  year,  General  Ogle- 
thorpe advanced  to  Bolzius  51.  for  procuring  trees,  for  which 
sum  he  obtained  twelve  hundred,  and  distributed  twenty-two 
to  each  family  in  his  parish. 

On  May  1,  1742,  fourteen  pounds  and  fourteen  ounces  were 
sold,  which  brought  21.  19s.  6d.  Nearly  half  of  the  silk- 
worms died  at  Savannah,  owing,  as  was  then  supposed,  either 
to  poisoned  dew  or  warm  weather. 

December  4,  1742,  General  Oglethorpe  sent  five  hun- 
dred trees  to  Ebenezer,  with  the  promise  of  more  if  re- 
quired. The  indifference  of  the  good  Mr.  Bolzius  had  by 
this  time  passed  away,  and  he  was  now  a  zealous  advocate 
for  its  extension.  A  machine  was  erected  near  his  house,  and 
two  women  succeeded  very  well,  by  which  the  people  were 
stimulated  to  renewed  exertions,  and  a  public  Filature  was 
contemplated.  The  enterprise  of  these  Germans,  seemed  to 
excite  the  enVious  disposition  of  Mrs.  Camuse,  with  whom  had 
been  placed  two  vvomen  from  Ebenezer  ;  but  the  conduct 
of  Mrs.   0.   in  withholding  information,  rendered  their  ac- 


# 


396  SILK  CULTURE   IN  GEORGIA. 

quirement  inadequate,  and  Mr.  Bolzius  withdrew  them  from 
her  charge.  The  first  parcel  of  silk  made,  was  sent  to  the 
Trustees,  who  expressed  themselves  pleased  with  its  quality. 
In  1745,  the  weight  of  cocoons  was  two  hundred  and  fifty- 
three  pounds,  and  of  spun  silk  sixteen  and  three-quarters. 
In  1746,  the  weight  of  cocoons  was  three  hundred  and  forty- 
four  pounds,  and  of  spun  silk  eighteen  pounds.  Early  in  this 
year  a  machine  for  winding,  and  coppers  for  baking,  together 
with  appropriate  treatises  on  the  art,  were  sent  over  by  the 
Trustees,  but  the  people  were  indifl^erent  and  apathetic. 

The  Germans,  however,  were  as  active  as  formerly,  and  Mr. 
Bolzius,  in  a  letter  to  Von  Munch,  dated  May  6,  1747,  says, 
that  "  the  people  last  winter  planted  more  mulberry  trees  than 
for  thirteen  years  before,"  for  which  he  promised  them  a 
bounty  of  one  shilling  for  every  tree  which  yielded  one  hun- 
dred pounds  of  leaves.  The  silk  balls  raised  at  this  place 
this  year,  were  over  four  hundred  pounds,  three  hundred  and 
sixty-six  pounds  of  which  sold  for  361.  I2s.  lO^d.  The 
amount  raised  in  the  whole  colony,  was  eight  hundred  and 
forty-seven  pounds  of  cocoons,  and  sixty-two  pounds  of  spun 
silk.  In  1748,  the  Saltzburgers  reared  four  hundred  and 
sixty-four  pounds,  but  their  small  trees  were  destroyed,  and 
some  of  the  larger  ones  injured,  by  the  late  frost.  They  this 
year  succeeded  admirably  in  spinning  twenty-four  pounds  of 
raw  silk,  the  want  of  a  chimney  and  proper  basins,  which  had 
impeded  them  before,  in  their  rude  building,  having  been 
remedied.  The  President,  writing  to  Secretary  Martyn,  De- 
cember 11,  1746,  says,  "  The  fundamental  cause  of  its  stag- 
nation, is  the  unaccountable  backwardness  of  some  of  our 
dames  and  damsels  to  employ  themselves  in  attending  to 
the  worms  during  the   time  of  feeding,  which  I  have  fre- 


SILK   CULTURE  IN  GEORGIA.  397 

quently  taken  notice  of,  and  it  cannot  be  imputed  to  the  want 
of  leaves." 

During  the  same  period  only  thirty-four  pounds  of  spun 
silk  were  raised  by  the  Trustees'  agent  in  Savannah.  Mr. 
Bolzius,  under  date  of  February  15th,  1749,  thus  writes  : 
"the  weather  being  now  warm  and  pleasant,  the  mulberry 
trees  have  put  forth  their  young  leaves,  and  our  people 
are  now  turning  their  minds  towards  making  of  silk,"  and 
then,  after  expressing  his  surprise,  that  so  few  were  dis- 
posed to  this  culture,  adds,  "one  reason  for  this  reluctance,  is 
ascribed  to  the  circumstance  that,  by  ordinary  labor,  about  two 
shillings  might  be  obtained  per  day,  whereas  scarcely  a  shil- 
ling could  be  earned  in  the  same  time,  by  the  silk  concern." 
Seven  hundred  and  sixty-two  pounds  of  coccoons  were  raised, 
and  fifty  pounds  thirteen  ounces  spun  silk,  and  there  were  two 
machines  erected  in  Mr.  Bolzius's  yard  which  drew  off  twenty- 
four  ounces  per  day.  On  the  29th  September,  1749,  the 
Trustees  promised  21.  to  every  woman,  who  shall  make  her- 
self mistress  of  the  art  of  winding,  in  one  year.  And  they 
also  gave  Rev.  Mr.  Bolzius  permission  to  erect  ten  sheds, 
with  clay  furnaces,  at  an  expense  of  not  more  than  21.  each, 
and  ten  machines  for  reeling,  at  thirty  shillings  each,  which 
he  says  could  be  made  better  than  those  at  Savannah  for  SI.  ; 
they  also  sent  them  ten  basins,  and  the  good  Germans  felt  the 
impulse  of  this  substantial  encouragement.  In  1750,  though 
the  people  in  other  parts  of  the  colony  mostly  relinquished  the 
silk  culture,  the  inhabitants  of  Ebenezer  continued  vigorously 
employed  and  interested  in  it.  On  the  2d  of  June  they  re- 
ceived ten  kettles  from  the  Trustees,  one  of  which,  and  a 
reeling  machine,  were  given  to  each  mistress  in  the  art  of 
spinning,  and  two  of  the  best  artisans  received  bl.  for  giving 


398  SILK    CULTURE   IN  GEORGIA. 

instruction  to  fourteen  young  women,  to  each  of  whom  was 
bestowed  1/.  for  attention  and  industry. 

Over  a  thousand  pounds  of  cocoons  were  raised  at  Ebene- 
zer,  and  seventy-four  pounds  two  ounces  raw  silk  made,  pro- 
ducing (the  price  being  then  thirty  shillings)  over  llOZ.  ster- 
ling. As  illustrative  of  the  luxuriant  growth  of  the  mulberry, 
it  may  be  interesting  to  state,  that  two  trees  in  front  of  the 
Parsonage,  ten  years  old,  measured  three  feet  eight  inches  in 
circumference.  In  December  of  this  year,  eight  more  copper 
basins  were  received,  and  public  confidence  in  the  success  of 
the  undertaking  seemed  revived,  notwithstanding  Mr.  Camuse 
and  family  had  left  the  Province,  and  settled  at  Purysburgh, 
in  South  Carolina. 

On  the  25th  December,  1750,  Mr.  Pickering  Robinson,  who, 
together  with  Mr.  James  Habersham,  had  been  appointed  the 
preceding  August  a  commissioner  to  promote  more  effectually 
the  culture  of  silk,  arrived  in  Savannah. 

Mr.  Robinson  had  been  sent  to  France,  at  the  expense  of 
the  Trustees,  to  study  the  management  of  filatures  and  the 
necessary  processes  for  preparing  the  article  for  market,  and 
thus,  though  no  operative,  was  qualified  to  take  the  directorship 
of  so  important  a  branch  of  industry.  His  salary  was  lOOZ. 
per  annum  ;  251.  for  a  clerk,  and  a  tract  of  land  was  also 
granted  him,  which,  in  1763,  sold  for  1300Z. 

Mr.  Robinson  brought  with  him  a  large  quantity  of  silk- 
worm seed,  but  all  failed,  save  about  half  an  ounce ;  the  com- 
missioners determined  at  once  to  erect  a  filature,  which  should 
be  a  normal  school  to  the  whole  province,  and  it  was  their 
opinion  that  it  would  be  "  a  sufficient  nursery  to  supply,  in 
three  or  four  years,  as  many  reelers  as  will  be  wanted,  when 
we  make  no  doubt  of  many  private  filatures  being  erected, 


SILK  CULTURE  IN  GEORGIA.  399 

which  can  only  nnakc  their  culture  a  general  staple."  The 
dimensions  were  thirty-six  feet  by  twenty,  rough  boarded, 
with  a  loft  or  upper  story,  for  the  spreading  out  of  the  green 
cocoons.  It  was  commenced  on  the  4th  of  March,  1751.  On 
the  1st  of  April,  the  basins  were  put  up,  and  on  the  8th  of  May 
the  reeling  began.  To  encourage  the  colonists,  the  Trustees 
proposed  to  purchase  all  the  balls,  and  wind  them  at  their 
own  expense,  and  paid  from  Is.  6d.  to  2s.  Ad.  per  pound  for 
green  cocoons.  The  Commissioners  separated  the  cocoons 
into  three  sorts  :  1st,  perfect  cones  ;  2d,  the  spongy  and  fuzzy  ; 
and  3d,  the  spotted,  stained,  and  dupions.  This  arrangement, 
however,  gave  great  offence  to  some  of  the  residents  in  Savan- 
nah and  Purysburgh,  and  Messrs.  Robinson  and  Habersham 
requested  the  Vice  President  and  assistants  to  determine  the 
respective  prices  and  publicly  announce  the  same,  which  they 
did  on  the  26th  April,  by  a  proclamation,  wherein  by  way  of 
bounty,  they  promised  to  pay  for  cocoons  delivered  at  their 
store  in  Savannah,  the  following  sums,  namely,  for  cocoons 
made  by  one  worm,  hard,  weighty  and  good  substance,  2s. 
per  pound  ;  for  the  weaker  quality,  pointed,  spotted,  or  bruised, 
Is.  2d. ;  for  dupions  (those  made  by  two  worms),  6rf. ;  for 
raw  silk,  from  1st  quality  cocoons  14s.  per  pound  ;  for  that 
made  from  2d  quality,  12s.  ;  the  product  of  the  double  cones, 
Qs.  per  pound  ;  and  they  also  offered,  if  delivered  at  the  fila- 
ture, for  best  cocoons,  3s.  6d.  ;  for  middling  Is.  8cZ.  ;  and  for 
inferior  Is.  Irf.,  a  series  of  prices  truly  astonishing,  when  we 
reflect  that  the  real  merchantable  worth  of  a  pound  of  cocoons 
is  scarcely  ever  6^/. 

Experiments  were  made  at  the  filature  to  ascertain  the  rela- 
tive quantity  of  each  of  these  qualities,  in  a  given  weight  of 
cocoons,  and  the  results  were,  that  in  fifty  pounds  of  green 


400  SILK  CULTURE  IN  GEORGIA. 

cocoons,  there  were  twenty-seven  pounds  of  the  first  sort,  ten 
pounds  four  ounces  of  the  second,  and  twelve  pounds  twelve 
ounces  of  the  third.  After  curing  or  baking,  these  fifty  pounds 
weighed  only  forty-six  pounds  five  ounces,  showing  a  loss  in 
ponderosity  of  nearly  eight  per  cent.  Beside  the  arrange- 
ment above  specified,  the  cocoons  were  still  further  divided 
for  the  purpose  of  reeling  into  white  and  yellow,  and  these 
again,  subdivided  into  five  each,  namely,  1st,  hard  and  weighty  ; 
2d,  little  woolly  and  weaker;  3d,  very  woolly  and  soft;  4th, 
spotted  and  much  bruised  ;  5th,  double  worms. 

Mr.  Camuse,  son,  and  daughter,  who,  it  appears,  gave  the 
commissioners  no  little  trouble  by  their  perverse  conduct,  re- 
turned to  Savannah  and  were  engaged  to  labor  at  the  fila- 
ture, at  three  shillings  per  day,  at  which  Mr.  Habersham 
exclaims,  "  monstrous  wages  !  "  The  reelers  now  advanced 
■with  much  proficiency,  and  five  of  them,  on  the  10th  of  May, 
wound  off"  eleven  pounds  of  cocoons  each.  The  proportion 
of  raw  silk  to  the  cocoons,  appeared,  on  a  variety  of  trials,  to 
be  nearly  in  this  ratio  :  —  ' 

oz. 
10th  May,  1751,  55  lbs.  cocoons,  1st  quality,  produced  117|-. 


Uth 

(( 

(( 

8 

13th 

C( 

(( 

11 

15lh 

(( 

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55 

18th 

(( 

(( 

20 

22d 

u 

u 

15 

Cl 

(( 

u 

10 

li       li 

6-9 

per  thread 

181. 

((       (( 

produced 

21^, 

2d     " 

(( 

109. 

((      (( 

(( 

24. 

1st    " 

(( 

20f. 

2d    " 

(( 

13A. 

The  whole  amount  of  cocoons  raised  in  the  province,  was 
six  thousand  three  hundred  and  one  pounds,  of  which  two 
thousand  pounds  came  from  Ebenezer,  and  four  thousand 
pounds  were  made  at  VVhitefield's  Orphan-house.     Two  hun- 


SILK  CULTURE  IN  GEORGIA.  401 

dred  and  sixty-nine  pounds  and  one  ounce  of  raw  silk,  and 
one  hundred  and  sixty-one  pounds  of  filogce,  were  prepared, 
notwithstanding  over  tliree  hundred  and  eighty  pounds  were 
lost  by  vermin,  fire  and  mould.  *  The  expense  of  the  culture 
was  large  this  year,  owmg  to  the  erection  of  the  filature,  &c., 
which  swelled  the  sum  to  609Z.  95.  8^d.  sterling.  The  pri- 
vate journals  of  that  day  kept  at  Savannah  and  Ebenezer,  ac- 
quaint us,  in  some  measure,  with  the  arduous  nature  of  the 
commissioners'  labors,  and  the  difficulties  they  encountered 
from  the  want  of  funds,  the  intractableness  of  laborers,  the 
novelty  of  the  attemjjt,  the  imperfections  of  machinery,  and 
the  bitter  opposition  of  those  who  should  have  sustained  and 
encouraged  them.  The  public  duties  of  Mr.  Habersham  pre- 
vented his  constant  attention  to  this  business  ;  but  the  whole 
time  of  Mr.  Robinson  was  devoted  to  the  filature,  directing 
the  sorters,  aiding  the  novices,  advising  the  reelers,  and  in 
every  way  exerting  himself  to  obtain  success.  His  engage- 
ment with  the  Trustees  expired  on  the  30lh  of  August,  1751, 
but  finding  that  his  intended  departure  depressed  the  friends 
of  the  culture,  he  was  solicited  by  the  local  government  to 
remain  another  year,  and,  generously  sacrificing  private  to 
public  interests,  he  complied  with  their  request.  Mr.  Haber- 
sham thus  speaks  of  Mr.  Robinson.  "  I  think  him  the  most 
prudent  as  well  as  the  most  capable  person  I  ever  knew,  to 
undertake  such  a  work,  and  if  he  could  be  continued  here,  I 
doubt  not  but  that  he  would  turn  out  a  number  of  well  in- 
structed reelers,  who  would  be  able  to  conduct  filatures  at 
Ebenezer,  Augusta,  and  other  parts  of  the  province."  So 
great  was  the  confidence  which  the  Trustees  had  in  him,  that 
he  was  appointed  an  assistant  in  the  government  at  Savan- 
nah i  an  honor  which  he  declined,  and  in  the  same  letter 
51 


402  SILK  CULTURE  IN  GEORGIA. 

stated,  "  If  due  encouragement  be  not  given  to  the  culture  of 
raw  silk,  for  the  term  of  at  least  fourteen  years,  I  positively 
cannot  think  of  settling  in  America."  These  gentlemen  re- 
commended the  building  of  a  house,  sixty  feet  by  twenty-six, 
as  a  cocoonry,  great  loss  having  been  experienced  for  the 
want  of  such  a  structure. 

In  1752,  Mr.  Robinson  returned  to  England,  and  his  place 
was  partially  supplied  by  Joseph  Ottolenghe,  a  native  of  Pied- 
mont, and  a  proficient  in  his  art,  who  came  to  Georgia  on  the 
18th  of  July,  1751,  and  took  charge  of  the  filature  in  April, 
1753.  In  a  letter  to  Lee  Martyn,  dated  September  11,  1753, 
Mr.  Ottolenghe  says,  that  "  there  were  fewer  cocoons  raised 
this  year,  as  the  worms  mostly  hatched  before  the  trees 
leaved,"  and  that  "  the  people  were  willing  to  continue  the 
business."  One  hundred  and  ninety-seven  pounds  of  raw 
silk  were  made  this  year,  and  three  hundred  and  seventy-six 
pounds  in  1754,  besides  twenty-four  pounds  of  filosele.  The 
people  of  Augusta  became  interested  in  this  manufacture, 
and  entered  with  considerable  spirit  into  the  undertaking, 
promising  to  send  hands  to  Savannah,  yearly,  to  learn  the  art 
of  reeling  :  their  enthusiasm,  however,  soon  evaporated. 

On  the  29th  of  March,  1755,  a  certificate,  signed  by  thirty- 
nine  eminent  silk-thx'owsters  and  weavers,  was  given  to  the 
"  Commissioners  for  Trade  and  Plantations,"  stating  that 
after  examining  three  hundred  pounds  of  raw  silk,  imported 
from  Georgia,  "  we  do  sincerely  declare  that  the  nature  and 
texture  is  truly  good,  the  color  beautiful,  the  thread  as  even 
and  as  clear  as  the  best  Piedmont  (called  wire  silk)  of  the 
size,  and  much  cleai'er  and  even  than  the  usual  Italian  silks  ;" 
and  furthermore,  "  it  could  be  worked  with  less  waste  than 
China  silk,  and  has  all  the  properties  of  good  silk  well  adapte^ 
to  the  weaver's  art  in  most  branches." 


SILK   CULTURE  IN  GEORGIA.  403 

In  1755,  five  thousand  four  hundred  and  eighty-eight  pounds 
of  cocoons  were  raised,  and  four  hundred  and  thirty-eight 
pounds  of  raw  silk  spun.  The  good  effects  of  the  filature 
were  now  happily  evident  in  the  increased  interest  of  the 
planters  in  the  subject,  who  sent  both  their  daughters  and 
young  negroes  to  acquire  the  art  of  reeling.  In  1756,  three 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty-three  pounds  and  one 
ounce  of  cocoons  were  received  at  the  filature,  and  two  hun- 
dred and  sixty-eight  pounds  of  raw  silk  reeled. 

The  liberal  policy  of  the  commissioners,  who  had  no  private 
ends  to  answer,  caused  them  to  recommend  the  establishment 
of  additional  filatures,  and  in  their  letter  to  the  Trustees,  June 
12th,  1751,  they  advise  the  erection  of  one  at  Ebenezer,  and 
another  contiguous  to  Savannah,  but  Mr.  Ottolenghe  opposed 
this  course  and  arrogated  to  the  one  in  Savannah  the  entire 
monopoly  of  the  culture.  Jealousy  appears  to  have  been  very 
conspicuous  in  Mr.  Ottolenghe's  character,  and  his  opposition 
to  the  Saltzburgers  and  depreciation  of  their  efforts,  arose 
from  this  suspicious  trait.  He  aimed  to  render  himself  solely 
necessary,  and  aspersed  everything  which  seemed  to  militate 
with  his  fancied  superiority.  This  appears  not  only  from 
letters  of  Governors  Reynold  and  Ellis,  but  from  his  own 
correspondence,  where  this  caution  and  fear  of  rivalry  is  plainly 
discernible.  His  course  gave  offence  to  the  Ebenezer  people, 
who  had  already  erected  a  filature  in  their  village  ;  who  had 
been  at  great  sacrifice  to  send  their  wives  and  daughters  to 
learn  the  art  of  reeling  in  Savannah,  and  who  had  hoped  to 
carry  on  the  manufacture  under  their  own  supervision  and  for 
their  own  benefit.  Mr.  Ottolenghe,  however,  overruled  their 
views  and  required  all  cocoons  to  be  delivered  at  Savannah 
^nd  to  be  reeled  there.     Each  basin  at  the  filature  had  two 


404  SILK  CULTURE  IN  GEORGIA. 

apprentices,  besides  others  who  were  employed  in  sorting  the 
balls,  &c.,  and  the  various  operations  coqnected  with  the  trade, 
employed  nearly  forty  persons. 

In  1757,  over  five  thousand  pounds  of  cocoons  were  received 
at  Savannah,  and  three  hundred  and  sixty  pounds  of  raw  silk 
spun,  which,  says  Governor  Ellis,  would  have  been  more,  if 
the  eggs  had  not  failed  ;  and  in  a  letter,  dated  11th  of  March, 
1757,  he  says  "  the  raising  of  silk  seems  to  be  no  longer  a 
matter  of  curiosity,  it  employs  many  poor  people,  and  is  ap- 
proaching towards  a  staple." 

Seven  thousand  and  forty  pounds  of  cocoons  were  deposited  in 
the  filature  in  1758,  but  while  the  friends  of  this  business  were 
rejoicing  in  the  assured  success  of  their  experiment  they  were 
saddened  by  the  destruction  of  the  filature,  which  took  fire  on 
the  4th  of  July,  and  was  totally  consumed.  The  wound  silk, 
which  had  not  yet  been  shipped,  amounting  to  three  hundred 
and  fifty  pounds,  was  saved,  but  several  thousand  weight  of 
silk  balls,  together  with  much  of  the  reeling  apparatus,  were 
destroyed.  Another  and  more  capacious  building  was  imme- 
diately erected  and  was  ready  for  use  the  ensuing  season. 

In  1759,  ten  thousand  one  hundred  and  thirty-six  pounds  of 
cocoons  were  raised  in  Georgia,  four  thousand  pounds  of  which 
were  from  Ebenezer,  and  the  proceeds  of  their  culture  alone, 
for  the  season,  reached  700Z.  sterling.  The  opinion  of  those 
engaged  in  the  culture,  as  expressed  to  Dr.  Jared  Elliot,  was, 
*'  that  it  was  more  profitable  than  any  other  ordinary  business." 

The  cocoons  delivered  at  the  filature  in  1760,  weighed 
seven  thousand  nine  hundred  and  eighty-three  pounds,  and 
there  were  spun  eight  hundred  and  thirty-nine  pounds.  Mr. 
Ottolenghe  was  now  honored  with  the  full  appointment  of 
"  superintendant  of  the  silk  culture  in  Georgia,"  with  a  salary 
appropriate  to  his  station. 


SILK  CULTURE  IN  GEORGIA.  405 

Five  thousand  tlircc  hundred  and  seven  pounds  of  cocoons, 
and  three  hundred  and  thirty-two  pounds  of  raw  silk  were  pro- 
duced in  1761.  Governor  Wright,  under  date  13tli  of  July,  says, 
"  The  greatest  appearance  that  ever  they  had  here  was  de- 
stroyed in  two  nights'  time,  by  excessive  hard  and  unseason- 
able frosts,  and  there  is  likewise  a  degeneracy  in  the  seed,  as 
Mr.  Ottolenghe  tells  me."  These  frosts  occurred  on  the  5th 
and  6th  of  April.  Parliament,  this  year,  made  a  grant  of 
1000^.  towards  defraying  the  expenditure  for  the  silk  culture, 
and  it  was  annually  renewed  until  about  1766.  By  means  of 
this  gratuity,  Mr.  Ottolenghe  was  enabled  to  give  a  higli  price 
to  the  rearers  of  cocoons,  and  thus  sustain  the  encouragement 
so  judiciously  commenced. 

In  1762,  fifteen  thousand  one  hundred  and  one  pounds  of  co- 
qoons  were  delivered  at  the  filature,  and  one  thousand  and 
forty-eight  pounds  of  raw  silk  reeled,  which  Mr.  O.  declared 
to  be  the  finest  and  best  silk  ever  produced  in  Georgia. 

The  year  1763  showed  an  increase  of  cocoons  but  a  decrease 
of  silk,  there  being  fifteen  thousand  four  hundred  and  eighty- 
six  pounds  of  the  former,  and  only  nine  hundred  and  fifty-three 
pounds  of  the  latter.  The  occasion  of  this  disparity  was  a 
season  of  cold,  rainy  weather,  towards  the  close  of  April,  by 
which  the  later  cocoons  were  injured  and  rendered  almost 
useless. 

There  were  delivered  at  the  filature,  in  1764,  fifteen  thousand 
two  hundred  and  twelve  pounds  of  cocoons,  notwithstanding 
the  season  was  so  unfavorable,  that  Governor  Wright  mentions 
the  case  of  one  man  who  expected  to  make  from  five  to  seven 
hundred  pounds,  who  only  succeeded  in  raising  one  hundred 
pounds  of  cocoons.  Eight  thousand  six  hundred  and  ninety-five 
pounds  were  sent  by  the  Saltzburgers,  and  the  whole  amount 
yielded  eight  hundred  and  ninety-eight  pounds  of  raw  silk. 


406  SILK   CULTURE  IN  GEORGIA. 

In  addition  to  tho  grant  of  Parliament,  a  Society,  instituted 
in  London,  for  tlie  encouragement  of  arts,  manufactures  and 
commerce,  oflbred  certain  premiums  for  the  advantage  of  the 
British  American  dominions,  among  which  were  : 

"  For  every  pound  of  cocoons  produced  in  the  province  of 
Georgia  and  South  Carolina,  in  the  year  1764,  of  a  hardy, 
weighty  and  good  substance,  wherein  only  one  worm  has  spun, 
Sd.  ;  for  every  pound  of  cocoons  produced  in  the  same  year, 
of  a  weaker,  lighter,  spotted  or  bruised  quality,  2d.  ;  for  du- 
pions,  IfZ."  These  premiums  were  to  be  paid  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Mr.  O.,  with  proper  vouchers  that  the  same  were  raised 
in  either  of  the  provinces  specified. 

It  was  agitated  in  1765,  to  reduce  the  price  of  cocoons  from 
35.  to  Is.  6d.  per  pound,  a  measure  which  produced  much 
dissatisfaction  and  as  a  consequence  there  was  a  considerable 
falling  off  in  the  amount  of  balls  and  silk,  only  twelve  thousand 
five  hundred  and  fourteen  pounds  of  the  former,  and  seven 
hundred  and  twelve  pounds  of  the  latter,  together  with  seven 
hundred  and  twenty  pounds  of  filosele  being  produced.  To  pre- 
vent the  depression  consequent  on  this  reduction,  Governor 
Wright  suggested,  that  instead  of  so  much  per  pound,  as 
formerly,  that  the  ten  largest  quantities  should  receive  the 
highest,  50/.,  the  next  greatest  parcel  45Z.,  and  so  on,  gradually 
decreasing  with  the  decrease  in  weight,  until  you  reached  the 
lowest  quantity,  to  which  lOZ.  would  be  awarded  ;  thus,  while 
the  expense  would  be  greatly  lessened  to  the  Trustees,  the 
stimulus  of  reward  would  be  sufficiently  sustained.  This 
advice  was  not  adopted,  though  owing  to  the  urgent  remon- 
strances of  those  best  acquainted  with  the  business,  the  reduc- 
tion in  the  bounty  was  only  9d.  instead  of  Is.  6d.  On  the 
25th  April,  1765,  the  following  order  was  published  in  the 
"  Georgia  Gazette  :  "  ^?- 


SILK  CULTURE  IN  GEORGIA.  407 

"Notice  is  hereby  given  to  all  whom  it  may  concern,  that, 
by  direction  of  the  Right  Honorable  the  Lords  Commissioners 
of  Trade  and  Plantations,  the  price  usually  paid  for  cocoons 
is  now  reduced,  and  that  no  more  than  2s.  3d.  per  pound  will 
be  paid  for  cocoons  raised  in  this  province,  and  delivered  at 
the  public  filature  this  season. 

"  By  order  of  His  Excellency  the  Governor. 

"  Geo.  Baillie,  Commissary^ 

This  bounty  was  still  further  reduced  in  1766,  when  by 
order  of  the  Board  of  Trade,  only  Is.  Id.  was  paid  per  pound. 
The  dependence  of  this  culture  on  the  weather,  was  signally 
instanced  this  year,  from  the  fact  that  though  many  who  had 
hitherto  raised  cocoons,  abandoned  it  at  the  reduction  of  the 
bounty,  yet  such  a  large  crop  had  never  been  produced  before  ; 
over  twenty  thousand  three  hundred  and  eighty  pounds  of 
cocoons  being  delivered  at  the  filature,  which,  however,  only 
produced  one  thousand  eighty-nine  pounds  of  raw  silk,  and 
eight  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  of  filosele.  This  amount  of 
reeled  silk  was  not  at  all  proportionate  to  the  weight  of  the 
cones,  resulting,  as  Mr.  Ottolenghe  said  in  a  letter  to  Gover- 
nor Wright,  October  2,  1766,  "  to  the  badness  of  the  seed, 
and  consequent  inferiority  of  the  worms."  In  1760,  the  co- 
coons weighed  only  seven  thousand  nine  hundred  and  eighty- 
three  pounds,  and  yet  eight  hundred  and  thirty-nine  pounds  of 
raw  silk  were  spun ;  at  which  rate,  the  product  this  year 
should  have  been  about  two  thousand  pounds. 

On  the  26th  of  June,  Henry  Kennan  made  proposals  to  the 
Board  of  Trade,  for  carrying  on  the  filature  ;  but  they  were 
of  a  nature  not  at  all  advantageous  to  the  culture,  and  Governor 
Wright,  in  his  reply,  on  the  2 1st  of  October,  disapproved  of 


408  SILK  CULTURE   IN  GEORGIA. 

the  plan,  and  exposed  the  fallacy  of  his  scheme,  which  was 
in  consequence  abandoned. 

In  1767,  ten  thousand  seven  hundred  and  sixty-eight  pounds 
of  balls  were  raised,  and  six  hundred  and  seventy-one  pounds 
nine  ounces  of  raw  silk  spun  ;  the  decrease  of  cocoons  being 
caused,  first,  by  withdrawing  of  the  Purysburgh  cocoons, 
which  last  year  amounted  to  five  thousand  five  hundred  and 
fifty-one  pounds  ;  and  second,  by  the  reduction  of  bounty,  so 
that  while  last  year  the  cocoons  were  delivered  in  by  two  hun- 
dred and  sixty-four  difi'erent  persons,  only  one  hundred  and 
sixty  individuals  were  this  year  devoted  to  the  culture.  The 
silk,  however,  was  of  a  better  quality,  and  sustained  its  high 
reputation  in  the  London  market. 

In  1768,  another  plan  was  proposed,  by  Mr.  Delamar,  "  in 
order  the  more  eflfectually  to  establish  the  growth  of  raw  silk 
in  America."  His  proposal  was,  to  pay  a  bounty  of  20s.  per 
pound  on  every  pound  of  good,  clear  raw  silk  imported  from 
any  of  his  Majesty's  dominions  in  America,  to  be  paid  on  the 
price  such  silk  might  sell  for  at  public  sale  in  London  ;  at  the 
expiration  of  ten  years,  ten  per  cent,  bounty  was  to  be  al- 
lowed ;  the  ensuing  five  years  at  five  per  cent.,  after  which 
time  the  bounty  was  to  cease.  This  was  the  general  feature 
of  his  plan ;  it  was  not,  however,  adopted,  though  in  many 
respects  its  provisions  were  highly  judicious  and  appropriate. 

But  this  branch  of  industry  and  commerce  was  fast  waning 
before  the  increasing  culture  of  more  sure  and  lucrative  pro- 
ducts, and  only  one  hundred  and  thirty-seven  different  persons 
brought  cocoons  to  the  filature  this  year.  Governor  Wright, 
in  his  official  letter  to  the  Earl  of  Hillsborough,  July  1,  1768, 
says,  "  I  am  persuaded  that  few,  or  none  but  the  very  poorer 
sort  of  people,  will  continue  to  go  upon  that  article.    Several 


SILK  CULTURE  IN  GEORGIA.  409 

substantial  persons,  who  did  mean  to  make  it  an  object  when 
the  price  was  higher,  have,  to  my  knowledge,  given  it  over. 
The  reason,  my  Lord,  is  evident ;  for  people  who  have  their 
fortune  to  raise  or  make,  will  always  turn  themselves  in  such 
a  way,  and  to  the  raising  and  making  of  such  commodities, 
as  they  think  will  answer  best ;  and  it  is  very  clear  to  me,  that 
those  who  have  negroes,  may  employ  themselves  and  negroes 
to  better  advantage,  &c.,  than  by  raising  cocoons  at  Is.  6d. 
per  pound,  although  that  is,  as  I  have  said,  7,  8,  or  9d.  more 
than  they  are  intrinsically  worth." 

Cluny,  in  his  "  American  Traveller,"  printed  in  London, 
1769,  says,  "  The  climate  of  Georgia  has  been  found  to  agree 
in  every  respect  with  the  silk  worm."  Experience,  however, 
proved  that  the  climate  was  not  sufficiently  equable  to  secure 
permanent  and  continued  success.  Governor  Wright,  in  the 
letter  quoted  above,  says,  "  the  variable  and  uncertain  weather 
in  spring,  makes  it  precarious,"  and  facts  amply  confirm  this 
statement.  Only  five  hundred  and  forty-one  pounds  of  raw 
silk  were  made  this  year,  a  smaller  amount,  with  one  excep- 
tion, than  had  been  produced  for  ten  years.  In  1769,  the 
quantity  was  still  more  decreased,  both  from  the  reluctance  of 
the  people  to  raise  worms,  and  the  unfavorable  weather  in 
spring.  Governor  Wright,  on  the  20th  of  June,  1769,  says, 
"  We  had  a  most  extraordinary  prospect,  till  the  middle  of 
April,  when  I  thought  every  thing  safe,  yet  we  had  very  cold 
rains  on  the  17th  and  18th,  which  were  succeeded  by  hard 
black  frost  on  the  19th  and  20th,  and  destroyed  a  great  part 
of  the  worms,  and  will  reduce  the  silk  very  much." 

The   silk   business  was  now  on  the    irretrievable   decline, 
though  it  still  maintained  a  nominal  existence,  and  received 
the  encouragement  of  Parliament.     The  special  bounty  which 
52 


410  !^n.K   CULTURE   IN   (JEORGIA. 

liad  hitherto  been  i)uid  on  cocoons,  over  and  above  tl)eir  mer- 
chantable value,  was  suspended,  and  by  a  statute  of  9  (Jeo. 
III.,  c.  U8,  a  preniiiun  of  twenty-five  per  cent,  from  the  1st  of 
January,  1770,  to  the  1st  of  January,  1777,  —  of  twenty  per 
cent,  from  the  1st  of  January,  1777,  to  the  1st  of  January, 
1784,  —  and  of  fifteen  per  cent,  from  the  Isl  of  January, 
1784,  to  the  1st  of  January  1791,  on  the  ad  valorem  value  of 
all  silk  produced  in  America  and  imported  into  Great  Britain 
in  vessels  regularly  navigated  by  law,  was  substituted  in  its 
place. 

The  inhabitants  of  Ebenezer  resumed  the  culture,  which 
with  them  had  long  been  dormant,  and  its  revival  at  that  time 
was  principally  owing  to  the  influence  of  a  very  worthy  man 
and  magistrate,  Mr.  Wertsch,  who,  sanguine  himself  of  ulti- 
mate success,  had  imparted  to  the  Germans  a  portion  of  his 
own  enthusiasm. 

In  1770,  they  shipped  two  hundred  and  ninety-one  pounds 
of  raw  silk,  the  result  of  their  own  industry,  and  as  the  fila- 
ture at  Savannah  was  discontinued  in  1771,  the  Earl  of  Hills- 
borough, ever  anxious  to  advance  the  produce,  warmly  com- 
mended the  zeal  of  the  Saltzburgcrs,  and  directed  President 
Habersham  to  distribute  "  the  basins  and  reels  that  were  left 
in  the  public  filature,  to  such  persons  as  Mr.  Wertsch  shall 
recommend  to  be  proper  objects  of  that  bounty  ; "  and  in  the 
same  letter  he  promised  that  he  would  endeavor  to  procure 
for  them,  this  year,  "  a  small  sum  from  Parliament,  to  be  laid 
out  in  purchase  of  utensils  for  the  assistance  of  the  poor  sort 
of  people  in  your  province."     This  promise  he  redeemed. 

So  popular  had  the  silk  business  become  at  Ebenezer,  that 
Mr.  Habersham,  in  a  letter  dated  the  30th  of  March,  1772, 
says,  "  some  persons  in  almost  every  family  there,  understand 


SILK  CULTURE  IN  GEORGIA.  411 

its  process  from  the  beginning  to  the  end."  In  1771,  the 
Germans  sent  four  hundred  and  thirty-eight  pounds  of  raw 
silk  to  England,  and  in  1772,  four  hundred  and  eighty-five 
pounds,  all  of  their  own  raising.  They  made  their  own  reels, 
which  were  so  much  esteemed  that  one  was  sent  to  England 
as  a  model,  and  another  taken  to  the  East  Indies  by  Picker- 
ing Robinson.  The  operations  at  Savannah  were  now  totally 
discontinued,  though  Mr.  Ottolenghe  still  styled  himself  "  Su- 
perintendent of  the  Silk  Culture  in  Georgia,"  and  in  considera- 
tion of  his  long  and  faithful  service  in  that  office,  received  an 
annuity  of  lOOZ. 

In  a  message  of  Sir  James  Wright,  to  the  Commons  House 
of  Assembly,  19th  of  January,  1774,  he  says,  "  The  filature 
buildings  seem  to  be  going  to  decay  and  ruin  ;  may  it  not, 
therefore,  be  expedient  to  consider  what  other  service  or  use 
they  may  be  put  to  .'' "  and  the  Assembly  answered,  "  We 
shall  not  fail  to  consider  hovi''  it  may  be  expedient  to  apply 
the  filature  to  some  public  use  ;"  and  henceforth  it  was  used 
as  an  assembly  or  ball-room,  a  place  where  societies  held 
their  meetings,  and  where  divine  service  was  occasionally 
conducted  :  more  recently,  it  was  converted  into  a  dwelling- 
house,  and  was  thus  appropriated  at  the  time  of  its  destruction 
by  fire,  on  the  afternoon  of  March  25,  1839. 

Thus  ended  the  grand  project  for  raising  silk  in  the  Pro- 
vince of  Georgia ;  for  though  some  few  individuals,  together 
with  the  people  of  Ebenezer,  continued  to  raise  small  quan- 
tities, yet,  as  a  branch  of  general  culture,  it  has  never  been 
resuscitated.  The  last  parcel  brought  to  Savannah  was  in 
1790,  when  over  two  hundred  pounds  were  purchased  for  ex- 
portation, at  from  8s.  to  26s.  per  pound. 

On  reviewing  the  causes  which  led  to  the  suspension  of  this 


412  SILK   CULTURE    IN   GEORGIA. 

business,  after  so  many  exertions  and  such  vast  expense, 
which,  it  nnust  be  rcmombcrcil,  tlic  ])rofits  of  the  cuUurc  never 
reinnburseil,  wo  find,  first,  the  uiifriLiidliiicss  of  the  climate, 
which,  notwithstanding  its  boasted  excellence,  interfered  ma- 
terially with  its  success.  Governor  \\'riglit,  frequently  speaks 
of  its  deleterious  influence,  and  the  fluctuations  in  the  various 
seasons,  evidenced,  to  demonstration,  that  the  interior  was 
better  adapted  to  the  agricultural  part  of  the  business,  than 
the  exposed  and  variable  sea-board.  Mr.  Habersliam,  in  a 
letter  to  the  Earl  of  Hillsborough,  dated  "  Savannah,  24th  of 
April,  1772,"  thus  expresses  himself  on  this  point.  "  Up- 
wards of  twenty  years  ago,  if  my  memory  does  not  fail  me, 
Samuel  Lloyd,  Esq.,  of  London,  who  was  one  of  the  late  trus- 
tees for  establishing  this  colony,  and  was  fourteen  years  in  Italy, 
and  very  largely  concerned  in  the  silk  business,  wrote  to  me, 
that  the  best  silk  w-as  produced  at  a  distance  from  the  sea- 
coast,  owing,  I  suppose,  to  the  richness  of^the  soil,  wliich 
made  the  mulberry  leaf  more  glutinous,  nutritive  and  healthy 
to  the  silk-worm  ;  also,  to  their  not  being  obnoxious  to  mus- 
quetoes  and  sand-flies,  and  probably,  likewise,  to  the  weather 
being  more  equal  and  less  liable  to  sudden  transition  from 
heat  to  cold  :  and  on  a  conversation  this  day  with  Mr.  Barnard, 
of  Augusta,  he  assures  me,  that  from  two  years  experience  in 
raising  cocoons  there,  he  lost  none  from  sickness,  which  fre- 
quently destroys  two-thirds  of  the  worms  here  ; "  and  he  fur- 
ther says,  that  Mr.  Ottolenghe  told  him  that  the  silk  reeled 
from  the  Augusta  cocoons  "  made  the  strongest  and  most  wiry 
thread  of  any  raised  in  these  parts." 

Second,  the  expensiveness  of  living,  and  the  dearness  of 
labor,  which  was  as  high  as  Is.  8d.  to  2s.  per  day,  whereas 
2d.  or  Sd.   was  the   usual    price   paid  the   peasant   in    silk- 


SILK  CULTURE   IN  GEORGIA.  413 

growing  countries.  Governor  Wright,  in  a  letter  to  the  Earl 
of  Hillsborough,  frankly  told  him  that,  "  till  these  provinces 
become  more  populous,  and  labor  cheaper,  I  apprehend,  silk 
will  not  be  a  commodity,  or  an  article,  of  any  considerable 
amount." 

Third,  the  great  reduction  of  the  bounty,  which,  being  the 
stimulus  to  exertion,  ceased  to  operate  as  an  incentive,  when 
from  35.  3d.  it  fell  to  Is.  '3d.,  and  finally  to  a  mere  premium 
on  the  general  quantity  imported.  The  poor  could  not  subsist 
on  these  prices,  and  the  rich  could  employ  their  lands  to  much 
better  advantage  than  in  cultivating  an  article  which  would 
not  repay  the  expenses  of  labor  :  and  lastly,  the  increasing 
attention,  bestowed  on  rice  and  cotton,  sealed  the  fate  of  the 
silk  culture,  and  the  planters  soon  learned  to  consider  the  latter 
of  no  importance  in  comparison,  with  the  large  and  lucrative 
crops  yielded  by  these  more  staple  commodities.  Other  rea- 
sons might  be  mentioned,  but  these  sufficiently  account  for  its 
decline  there,  and  its  total  neglect  even  to  the  present  day. 
During  the  morus  multicaulis  epidemic,  which  spread  over  our 
country  in  1838,  Savannah,  it  is  true,  did  not  escape,  and 
for  a  time  the  fever  raged,  with  much  violence,  but  the  febrile 
action  soon  subsided,  leaving  no  permanent  benefit  and  only  a 
few  fields  of  waving  foliage,  as  a  deciduous  memento  of  this 
frenzied  excitement. 

That  silk  can  be  produced  in  Georgia  equal  to  any  in  the 
world,  does  not  admit  of  a  doubt,  but  whether  it  will  ever  be 
resumed,  and  when,  is  among  the  unknown  events  of  the 
future. 


INDEX. 


A. 

Abercorn,  the  village,  87,  318, 

Adams,  John,  294. 

Adderly,  Edward,  bequest  by,  49. 

Alatamaha  River,  80,  81.  Settle- 
ment on  the,  116.     See  Darien. 

Alligators,  176,  note. 

Aniatis,  Mr.,  51,  393. 

Amelia  Island,  140.  Barbarity  at, 
219.     Assault  on,  250. 

American  Colonies,  14. 

American  Revolution,  286. 

Anastasia,  taken,  229.  Militia  re- 
moved to,  237. 

Arabic,  Job's  letter  in,  26. 

Ardent  spirits,  60,  1 15, 208,  214. 

Argyle,  John,  Duke  of,  73,  361. 
On  Oglethorpe  and  the  St.  Augus- 
tine expedition,  241,  292.  300. 

Argyle,  Fort,  72,  80,  318,  370. 

Atterbury,  Bishop,  defended,  10. 

Augusta,  Georgia,  185,  214. 

B. 


Beloved  men,  57,  212  note. 

Berkeley,  George,  Dean,  3,  334. 

Bloody  Marsh,  battle  of,  259. 

Bluet,  Thomas,  2.5,  27,  29. 

Bolzius,John  Martin. 82,85.  Cited, 
88,  3d9.  VVhitefield's  visit  to, 
182.  In  an  excursion  to  the 
islands.  140  note.  Letter  to,  382. 
Connexion  ot,  with  the  silk  cul- 
ture, 394. 

Booth,  a  silk  weaver,  117,  394. 

Bosomworth,  Reverend  Mr.,  58 
note. 

Boston,  intention  to  visit,  75.  Re- 
ception of  Wesley  at,  175. 

Boswell,  James,  288. 

Bounties  for  produce,  210. 

Bull,  William,  Colonel,  accompa- 
nies and  aids  Oglethorpe,  54,  56, 
61,  355,  357.  Lieutenant  Gov- 
ernor ;   aid  of,  solicited,  223. 

Burke,  Edmund,  294. 

Burning  of  captives,  237. 

Burton,  John,  Dr.,  107, 166,  292. 


Baptism  by  inmiersion,  167  note. 

Barba,  Antonio,  Captain,  257,  259. 

Bathurst,  Sir  Francis,  120. 

Beaufort,  reception  at.  53. 

Belcher,  Jonathan,  Gov.,  letter  by, 
75.  Speech  by,  78.  On  Georgia 
and  the  prohibitions  of  the  Trus- 
tees, 103.  On  married  soldiers, 
189.  On  the  St.  Augustine  expe- 
dition, 242. 


Caciques,  214  note. 

Carlisle,  280,  281. 

Carolina,  project  for  settling  the 
south-eastern  frontier  of,  38.  Re- 
ception at,  53.  356.  Resolutions 
of  the  Assembly  of,  56,  354.  Re- 
ception of  Oglethorpe  by  the 
Assembly  of,  63.  Assistance  ren- 
dered by,  to  Georgia,  61,  63,  65. 


416 


INDEX. 


Advantage  to, from  settling  fJonr- 
gia,  04.  'IVoops  raised  for,  and 
coiiiinandiT  iipiioiiitcd.  Irfrf.  Aid 
of, solicited, 'J is,  v;i:i,-J-j:{.  Forces 
irom,  2'2l,  'J'J(i.  l)is;i|)|)()intint'iit 
as  to  aid  from,  'i"^(),  'S.i\ .  Appeals 
to,  for  aid,  ii.'jO,  2')\,  2."):{  note. 
S)ii|)s  friiin,  at  St.  Simons,  207. 
See  (ieori^ia. 
Caroline,  (^iieen,  112.     Silk  shown 

to,  117,  :VM. 
Cattle,  given   to  the  Georgia  colo- 
nists, 50,  :!")."),  ;}.')7. 
Causton,  Tliomas,  108.     Prosecutes 
Joiin    Wesley,    170.      Displaced, 
l!)lt.     Treatment  of  the  Governor 
hy,  205.      Remonstrance    with, 
2UG. 
Charleston,  arrival  of  emigrants  at, 
52  ;  of  the   Saltzburgers,  b2  ;  of 
troops,   1!)0.      Visit  to,   in   173'J, 
20!». 
ChoTnondelly,   General,    279    note, 

281. 
Cherokees,  letter  hy  a  chief  of  the, 
JKi.     Complaints   by,  214.     Aid 
of,  summoned,  217.    In  the  Flor- 
ida expedition,  224.     Demand  by 
their  chief,  respecting  Nicholau- 
sa,  230. 
Chickasaws,  complaints  by,  214. 
Christianity,     teachmg,     on     ship- 
board,   123.      Tomo    Chichi,    on 
hearing,   163.     See  Indians,  and 
Missiojiaries. 
Cochran,  James,  Colonel,  244. 
Colonies,  American,  14. 
Cook,    William,   Lientenant   Colo- 
nel, treachery  of,  253.     Impeach- 
ment   of    Oglethorpe    by,    273. 
Dismissed,  274. 
Coweta,  expedition  to,  210. 
Cranham,  290,  298,  305. 
Creek   Indians  in  Georgia,  58,  59, 
67,  99.     Alliance    with,  09,  70. 
Grants  by   the,  70.     Presents  to 
their  chiefs,  71.     Ingham's  resi- 
dence and  studies  amono'  the,  177. 
Attacked     by      Spaniards,     192. 
Conference  with,  at  Coweta,  211. 
Treaty  with,  213      Aid  of,  sum- 
moned, 217      In  the  Florida  ex- 
pedition, 224.     Fscape  of,  at  Fort 
Moosa,  235.      Make    a   descent 
upon  Florida,  248.    Take  Spanish 
prisoners,  248,  254.     Account  of 


the,  358.  See  ludUnis,  Tomo  Chi- 
chi, and  Touiiahowi. 

Crocodiles,  I7(i. 

Cul>a.      See  lliirana. 

Cumberland  Island,  139,  145.  Fort 
St.  Andrews  there,  139,  152  Ef- 
forts to  sustain,  250.  Spaniards 
land  <m,  2ti().     See  St.  Jindrcws. 

Cumberland,  army  of  the  Duke  of, 
282. 

D. 

Darien,  settled,  116.  Expedition 
from  Savannah  to,  133.  Visit  to, 
13().  Road  to,  190.  Loss  by,  at 
Fort  Moosa,  235. 

Davies.  Captain,  21.5. 

Delamotte,  Cliarles,  108, 135.  Cau- 
tions Jolm  Wesley,  108.  In  dan- 
ger, 170  note.  Residence  of,  at 
Savannah,  178.  Returns  to  Eng- 
land, 178.  Keception  of  White- 
field  by,  in  Savannaii,  180. 

Dempsey,  Charles,  mission  of,  to 
St.  Augustine,  132.  Sent  to 
Oglethorpe,  151  ;  back  to  the  Go- 
vernor of  Florida,  157.  Treaty 
by,  157. 

Diego,  Fort,  taken,  225,  383,  384. 
Owner  of,  220.     Garrison  left  at, 

220.  Return  to,  228.  Attack 
on, in  1743,  272 

Dunbar,  George,  Captain,  cited,  99. 
Dunbar,  Lieutenant,  210.     Recon- 
noitres Picolata  and  St.  Francis, 

221.  Left  at  Fort  Diego,  226. 
Captain;  repels  Spanish,  250.  De- 
tached to  harass  the  enemy,  256. 

E. 

Ebenezer,  site  of,  chosen,  87,  366. 
Laid  out,  S8.  Dissatisfaction 
with,  130.  Improvements  at, 
131.  Abandoned,  132.  Orphan- 
house  at,  182.  Whitefield's  visit 
to,  182. 

Edinburgh,  riot  at,  19,  348.  Fined, 
22. 

Epworth,  visit  to,  108. 

Eugene,  Prince  of  Savoy,  Com- 
mander of  the  Imperial  army, 
Offlethorpe  with,  4.  Defeats 
Turks,  5,  6,  7. 

Eyre,  Thomas,  246,  253. 


INDEX. 


417 


Fleet  prison,  visit  to,  10,  340. 

Florida,  mission  as  to  the  boundary 
of,  132.  Oglethorpe  to  annoy, 
2J7.  Incursions  into,  248,  272. 
See  St.  Augustine,  and  ISanchez. 

Foskey,212. 

Francis  de  Pupa,  221,  225,  378. 

Frederica,  site  of,  til  note,  h)7.  Laid 
out,  146.  Indian  dance  there, 
147.  Ingham  and  Wesley  at, 
171,  176.  Sand-flies  at,  176  nole. 
Visited  by  Whitefield,  ]t3.  Re- 
ception of  the  General  at,  lOl. 
Measures  for  defending,  21b,  254. 
Spanish  vessel  near,  24.5.  Dis- 
tress and  anxiety  at,  260.  Span- 
ish repulse  at,  260  Treachery 
at,  261.  Brick  houses  at,  31rf. 
See  St.  Simons. 

G. 

George's  Island,  140,  141. 

Georgia,  charter  and  trustees  for 
settling,  3i),  349.  Cultivation  of 
silk  in,  41,  52,  117,  349,  391. 
Encouragements  for  emigration 
to,  43,  350.  Oglethorpe  governor 
of,  47.  Citations  respecting,  48. 
Adderly's  bequest  for  settling,  49. 
Embarkation  for,  51.  Selection 
of  a  place  in,  55.  Cattle  given 
to,  56,  355,  357.  Account  of, 
58,  59,  313.  Aided  from  Caro- 
lina, 61 ,  65.  Excursion  along  the 
coast,  79.  An  asylum  for  exiled 
Protestants,  82.  Prohibition  of 
rum  in,  101  ;  of  slavery,  101. 
Missionaries  to,  107,  161.  Char- 
acter of  first  settlers  of,  113,  181, 
183.  Emigration  of  Scotch  to, 
116.  Preparations  and  great  em- 
barkation for,  119.  Reception  at, 
126.  Destination  of  the  last  emi- 
grants to,  134.  Excursion  along 
the  islands  of,  138,  139.  Appre- 
hensions in,  from  the  Spaniards, 
186.  Troops  raised  for,  188. 
Embarkations  for,  190.  Scarcity 
in.  192.  Fortified,  192.  Pecu- 
niary embarrassments  in,  202, 
205.  Retrenchments  in,  203. 
Measures  for  defending,  218. 
Effects    of    the    St.    Augustine 

53 


expedition  on,  241.  Spanish 
invasion  of,  241,  249,  2.50,  385. 
Thanksgiving  in,  after  the  Span- 
ish evacuation,  268,  269,  387. 
Preparations  for  another  invasion 
of,  271.  Citations  on  the  founder 
of,  275.  Prediction  as  to,  in  1732, 
2!)5.  See  Indians,  Moravians, 
Saltzbin'ffers,  and  Savannah. 

Georgia  Rangers,  279. 

German  Protestants,  13. 

Glenn,  Governor,  mission  to,  for 
aid,  250,  253  jwte. 

Godalming,  residence  of  the  Ogle- 
thorpe family,  1,  9. 

Goldsmith,  Oliver,  289. 

Grahame,  James,  cited,  49. 

Grimaldi,  anecdote  of.  124. 

Gronau,  Israel  Christian,  82,  85, 
88,  182. 

H. 

Habersham,  James,  180,  183. 

Havana,  embarkation  at,  188,  191. 
Armament  from,  against  Georgia, 
249,  255.  Spaniards  return  to, 
267. 

Herbert,  Henry,  Chaplain,  51,  55. 

Hermsdorf,  Captain,  120, 149. 

Heron,  Alexander,  Major,  246,  253, 
273. 

Herring  Fishery,  285. 

Highlanders.     See  Scotch. 

Holmes,  Abiel,  cited,  274. 

Hopkins,  Sophia,  168. 

Horton,Major,  138, 141.  Despatch- 
ed to  St.  Augustine,  149.  Ar- 
rested, 151.  Sent  back  with  an 
embassy,  151. 

House  of  Commons,  Committee  in 
the,  on  prisons,  10,  349.  Part 
taken  there  by  Oglethorpe,  12 — 
19,  338. 

Houston,  William,  Dr.,  mission  of, 
for  medicinal  plants,  128.  Death 
of,  129. 

Howard,  General,  279  note,  231. 

Howe,  Sir  William,  286. 

Huskej  General,  279  7iote,  281. 


I. 


Imperial  army.     See  Etigene. 
Impressment  for  sea-service,  14. 
Indians,  interview  and  treaty  with. 


418 


INDEX. 


at  Yamacravv,  57,  56.  Account 
of,  in  {;eor{ria,  51),  :U1),  3.>8.  Pa- 
lai-liicolas,  e7.  Olili'ts  ol",  go  to 
Jutland,  f?l).  Inliodiicoil  to  the 
Kin<r  and  I{iiy;il  I'aiiidy,  U-l. 
Death  and  hiinal  of  one  of  the,  UU. 
Visit  Klon  Collcjri'  and  other  pla- 
ces, US.  Kcguiallon  for  niain- 
taininnr  pciice  witli  the,  lUO. 
Measures  for  teacliingand  Chris- 
tianizinir,  104,  U)"i.  Wilson's 
Manual  for  tlio,  104,  IOC,  102. 
Missionaries  to  the,  ]2'2,  101. 
School  for,  130.  Islands  ceded 
by,  1:58.  Eager  to  attack  the 
Spanish  looU-oiit,  140.  Serio- 
comic adventure  of,  142.  Dance 
at  Frcderica,  147.  E.\ plain  the 
object  of  their  embassy,  148.  Con- 
ference at  Savannah  on  trade 
with,  152.  Fundamental  princi- 
ples in  the  rigiits  ol,  154.  Wes- 
ley's mission  to  the,  101.  In  the 
Florida  expedition,  224.  Visit 
the  General  atFrederica,  1!)1  ;  at 
Savannah,  200.  Decoyed  by 
Spaniards,  200.  Aid  of,  solicited, 
250.  See  Chcrolcces,  Creeks,  To- 
mo  Chichi,  Toonalioioi,  and  Uchee. 

Ingham,  Benjamin,  108.  Embarks 
for  Georgia,  121.  Goes  to  the 
South,  135.  Reception  of  Wesley 
by,  171.  Conduct  of,  at  Frederi- 
ca,  170.  His  visit  to  Savannah  re- 
specting Wesley,  177.  Among 
the  Creeks,  177.  Goes  to  Eng- 
land for  missionaries,  177.  White- 
field  and, 177, 178, 179. 

Insolvent  debtors,  for  settling  Geor- 
gia, 38,  43,2!)!),  343. 

Inverness,  emigrants  from,  115. 

Ireland,  S.,  portrait  by,  292  note. 

Irene,  the  school,  130. 

Islands  ceded  by  Indians,  138, 139. 


Jekyl,Sir  Joseph,  80. 

Jekyl  Island,  80,  2G6. 

Jekyl  Sound,  135,  140. 

Jenys,  Paul,  Speaker,  80. 

Job  Solomon,  24. 

Johnson,  Robert,  Governor  of  Car- 
olina, reception  of  the  emigrants 
to  Georgia  by,  53.  Letter  from 
the  Council  and,  to  Oglethorpe, 


50,  353.  Visit  to,  02.  His  re- 
ception of  the  Saltzl)urgers,  83. 
His  letter  to  Uenjannn  Martin, 
:{50. 

Johnson,  Samuel,  287,  289,292. 

Jones,  Lewis,  Reverend,  of  Beau- 
fort, 55. 

Jones,  Noble,  Captain,  255. 

Jones,  Thomas,  199,  205. 


L. 

Lamberto,  Don  Pedro,  Captain,  144, 

151. 
Lending  money,  10. 
Letter,     Indian,    sent   to   England, 

110. 
Lilirary,   sent    to    Savannah,   177. 

Oglethorpe's,  2il0  note. 
Lombe,  John,  42,  340. 
Lombe,  Sir  Thomas,  15,  117,  346, 

394. 

M. 

McCall,  Hugh,  "  History  of  Geor- 
gia by,"  71. 

Mackay,  Charles,  Ensign,  nephew 
to  Captain  Hugh  Mackay,  wound- 
ed, 234.  Lieutenant;  on  a  na- 
val expedition,  240.  Sent  with 
despatches  to  Governor  (ilenn, 
250.  Success  of,  at  Bloody  Marsh, 
250. 

Mackay,  Frederick,  Captain,  on 
trade  with  the  Indians,  154  jiote. 

Mackay,  Hugh, Captain, commands 
a  periaguato  explore  the  islands, 
138.  Directed  to  build  a  Fort  on 
Cumberland  Island,  139.  Writes 
an  account  of  the  General's  being 
hurt,  221.  Appointed  aid-de- 
camp, 200. 

Mackay,  Hugh,  Ensign,  on  the 
fate  of  Colonel  Palmer,  232,  383. 

Mackay,  Hugh,  Jr.,  goes  vt^ith  pio- 
neers to  Darien,  133. 

MTntosh,  John  Moore,  Captain, 
220.  Capture  and  treatment  of, 
230.  Summoned  to  defend  St. 
Simon's,  252 

Martin,  Benjamin,  343,  350. 

McLeod,  Reverend  Mr.,  137,  183. 

McPherson,  Captain,  72,  81. 

Mageleto,  Captain,  killed,  256. 


INDEX. 


419 


Marlborough,  Duke  of,  4. 

Massachusetts,  measures  for  receiv- 
ing Oglethorpe  in,  75. 

Methodists,  10(J. 

Miller,  Philip,  129. 

Missionaries  to  Georgia,  107,  121, 
l(Ji,  Ui4. 

Money,  lending,  16. 

Monteano,  Don  Manuel  de.  Gover- 
nor of  St.  August'ne,  expedition 
by,  241),  255.  Spy  brought  be- 
fore, 2G5.  Little  success  of,  268. 
Forces  under,  390. 

Moore,  Francis,  "  Voyage  by,  to 
Georgia,"  ]  19,  and  note. 

Moore,  Hannah,  29:?,  331. 

Moosa,  Fort,  taken  and  burnt,  227, 
384.  Colonel  Palmer  stationed 
at,  229.     Fate  of,  231 . 

Moral,  Don  Romualdo  Ruiz  de,  cap- 
tured, 248. 

Moravians,  22,  23,  130,  366. 

Mordaunt,  Charles,  General,  279 
Mofe,  281,334. 

Motte.     See  Delamotte. 

Musgrove,  John,  a  Carolinian  tra- 
der, 57,  67. 

Musgrove,  Mrs,  57. 

N. 

Naturalization  of  Moravians,  22. 
Newcastle,  280.     March  to,  281. 
New  Inverness,  116. 
Nicholausa,  an  Indian,  237. 


O. 


Officers,  Oglethorpe's  appointment 
of,  188. 

Ogechee  River,  expeditions  up  the, 
72, 80.  Fort  Arglye  there,  73,  80, 
318,  370. 

Oglethorpe  family,  1,  325. 

Oglethorpe,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Gen- 
eral Oglethorpe,  279.  Obituary 
notice  of,  305.  Her  will,  307. 
Epitaph  on,  309. 

Oglethorpe,  James,  time  of  his  birth, 

2,  329.  At  Oxford,  2,  330.  Mil- 
itary profession  and  promotion  of, 

3.  Under  Prince  Eugene,  4, 289. 
Member  of  Parliament,  9.  His 
speeches  and  acts  there,  10,338. 
Visits  a  prison,  10,  340.  Chair- 
man of  a  Committee  on  prisons, 


11,  340.  Publishes  "The  Sailor's 
Advocate,"  J4.  Director  of  the 
Royal  Albican  Company,  24. 
His  kindnt'ss  to  the  Alrican,  Job 
Solomon,  24,  27,  3(!.  Course  by, 
for  settling  Georgia,  38.  Chosen 
governor,  47.  His  disinterested- 
ness, 47,  49,  52, 93, 290,  350.  Ci- 
tations respecting,  48.  Waits  on 
Governor  Johnson  at  Charleston, 

53.  Selects  a  site  for  settlement, 

54.  Treaty  of,  with  Tomo  Chi- 
chi, 58.  Speech  of,  before  the 
Governor  and  Assembly,  63. 
His  treaty  with  the  Creeks,  67. 
Presents  by.  71 .  Builds  Fort  Ar- 
gyle,72.  Measures  for  receiving 
him  at  Boston,  75.  Explores  the 
Georgia  coast,  79.  Visits  Fort 
Argyle,  80.  His  reception  of  the 
Sallzburgers,  b2,  86.  Goes  to 
Palachicolas,  87.  Goes  with  Indi- 
ans to  England,  89,  90.  His  ar- 
rival, and  notice  of  it,  91,  93. 
Prize  medal  for,  94.  Letter  by, 
to  Dr.  Thomas  Wilson,  106.  Vis- 
its the  parents  of  the  Wesleys,  108. 
His  second  voyage,  1 18,  121.  Sir 
Francis  Moore  and,  119.  Reli- 
gious toleration  by,  123.  Anec- 
dote of  Wesley  and,  respecting 
his  servant,  124.  Reception  of,  at 
Savannah,  126.  Goes  to  Ebene- 
zer,  31.  To  Purrysburgh,  132. 
Sends  to  the  Governor  of  Florida, 
133.  Meditates  a  road  to  Darien, 
133.  Goes  with  emigrants  to  St. 
Simons,  135.  At  Darien,  136. 
Hardiness  of,  137.  His  excur- 
sion, with  Indians,  to  the  Islands, 
139.  In  a  serio-comic  adventure 
respecting  Major  Richard,  143. 
Complaints  to,  by  the  Governor  of 
Florida,  145,  149.  Urges  the 
works  at  St.  Simons,  146,  152. 
Presents  by,  to  Indians,  148. 
Expedition  sent  to  St.  Johns  by, 
149.  His  treaty  with  Ucliee  In- 
dians, 150.  Preparations  against, 
by  the  Spaniards,  151  Treaty  of, 
with  Spaniards,  158.  Spanish 
demands  of,  158.  His  visit  to 
England,  159,  177,  185.  Recep- 
tion of,  by  the  Trustees,  185. 
Spanish  jealousy  of,  187.  Gen- 
eral and   Commander-in-Chief  in 


420 


INDEX. 


Carolina  and  Georgia,  1S8. 
Raises  troo|)s,  188.  Hisodiccrs, 
188.  Carries  out  supcriiumera- 
ries,  18!).  Keceptioii  of,  iti  (jeor- 
gia.  lilO,  liJl.  Visited  by  Indi- 
ana, 1!)1.  Prepares  lor  deCenci;, 
11)2.  Attempt  to  assassinate, 
195,  3(i!).  Reception  of,  at  Sa- 
vannaii,  l'.)7.  Displaces  Causton, 
]99.  Conference  of,  with  Tomo 
Cliichi  and  others,  2U0.  Address- 
es the  inhabitants,  2U1.  Gives 
permission  to  leave  the  Colony, 
202.  Ketrenches,  203.  Investi- 
gates, 203.  Leaves  Savannah, 
204.  His  return,  20.").  Repre- 
hends Causton,  200.  Treatnjent 
of  the  discontented  by,  200.  Vis- 
its Charleston,  20'J.  Encourages 
the  planters,  210.  Journey  of,  to 
Coweta,  211.  Treaty  of,  with 
Creeks,  213.  Orders  reprisals, 
215.  To  annoy  settlements  in 
Florida,  217.  Measures  of,  for 
protecting  Georgia,  217.  Sum- 
mons Indians  to  his  aid,  217,  219, 
224.  Asks  aid  from  Carolina, 
218.  Pursues  Spaniards,  220. 
Takes  Picolata  and  St.  Francis, 
221.  Narrow  escape  of,  221. 
Appeals  again  to  Carolina  for  aid, 
223.  Manifesto  by,  224,  378. 
His  descent  into  Florida,  224. 
His  siege  of  St.  Auo-ustine,  239, 
381.  Sick,  239.  Abandons  the 
enterpTise,  239.  Reflections  on, 
240.  Citations  on,  241.  His  per- 
plexities, 244.  Precautions  by, 
245.  Pursues  Spanish  vessels,  240. 
Solicits  aid,  2.'>0,  2.")1.  Ventures 
to  Cumberland  Island,  250.  Im- 
presses the  "S^uccess,"  252.  Con- 
duct of  his  engineer,  253.  Aban- 
dons St.  Simons,  254.  Strength- 
ens Frederica,  254.  Attacks  the 
Spaniards,  256.  Ambuscndeand 
battle  of  Bloody  Marsh.  2.57,  259. 
Makes  promotions,  200.  Per- 
plexed, 200.  Plot  of  a  Spanish 
officer  against,  201.  Plot  of, 
against  the  Spanish,  204.  Ad- 
vances to  aid  Fort  William,  206. 
Appoints  a  Thanksgiving,  208, 
387.  Congratulations  to,  270. 
His  descent  upon  Florida,  in 
1743,271.     Wounded,  272.     At- 


tacks Fort  Diego,  272.  His  strat- 
agem against  St.  Augustine,  272. 
Returns  to  Fngbmd,  273.  Im- 
])raclied,  273,  288.  Retires  to 
(iodahiiing,  278.  Marries,  278. 
Majur-General  under  Marslial 
Wade,  279.  Services  of,  in  sup- 
pressing the  Rebellion  of  1745, 
279,283.  Arraigned  and  acquit- 
ted, 284.  Promotion  of,  284  note, 
285.  Non-election  of,  to  Parlia- 
ment, 285.  Sir  William  Howe 
and,  286.  Social  life  of,  286. 
His  character,  290.  His  ])ortrait, 
292  note.  Last  days  and  death  of, 
290,  306.  His  library,  29(i  jto^e. 
Epitaph  on,  298.  His  '•  Account 
of  Carolina  and  Georgia,"  313. 

Orphan-House,  182.  Foundation 
of,  laid,  184. 

Ouecliachumpa,  speech  by,  68. 

Oxford,  Oglethorpe  at  331,  334. 
Job's  Arabic  letter  translated 
there,  26. 


Palachicolas  Indians,  87. 

Palmer,  Colonel, 229, 231,  380,  383, 
384. 

Palmetto  ground,  near  Amelia  Is- 
land, 140,  141. 

Parker,  Henry,  Governor,  200  note. 

Parliament,  grant  by,  towards  set- 
tling Georgia,  43,  48.  See  House 
of  Commons. 

Peeper  Island,  126. 

Penn,  Thomas,  favors  the  Georgia 
colony,  66. 

Periagua,  138  note. 

Peterborough,  Earl  of,  3. 

Phillips,  John,  letter  to,  91. 

Picolata,  reconnoitred,  220.  Taken, 
221. 

Planters,  encouragement  of.  210. 

Poor  debtors.    See  Insolvent. 

Pope,  Alexander, 9,  289,  292,  2."4, 
302. 

Porteous,  John,  Captain,  20,22,  348. 

Port  Royal  Island,  54. 

Preston,  march  to,  283. 

Price,  Vincent,  Commodore,  223, 
231. 

Priests,  "  beloved  men,"  212  note. 

Prisons,  investigation  as  to,  10, 340, 
343. 


INDEX. 


4^1 


Privateers  against  the  Spanish,  216. 

Protestants.  See  Moravians  and 
Saltzlmrgers. 

Public  garden  at  Savannah,  62, 127. 

Pupa,  Fort  and  Lake,  221 ,  225,  378. 

Purr3'sburgli,87.  Deputation  from, 
visits  the  Governor,  129  ;  his  re- 
ception there,  132. 

Pyke,  Captain,  24,  26,  30,  31,  34. 

Q. 

Quartell,  Point,  229,  237. 
Quincy,  Samuel,  Reverend,  85. 


R. 


Eaynal,  Abbe,  cited,  48. 

Rebellionof  1745,  279. 

Religious  toleration,  123. 

Reprisals,  215. 

Rhode  Island,  privateers  from,  215. 

Richard,  Major,  mission  of,  to  Flori- 
da, 133,  144.  Serio-comic  adven- 
ture respecting,  144.  His  return 
to  Frederica,  147.  Despatched 
to  the  Governorof  St.  Augustine, 
149.  Arrested,  150.  Sent  back 
Vi^ith  an  embassy,  151. 

Rosso,  Don  lo-natio,  investigation 
by,  151. 

Royal  African  Company,  24,  33,  36. 

Ruiz.     See  Moral. 

Rum,  60,  115,  208,  214. 


St.  Andrews,  Fort,  139,  145,  152. 
Affray  at,  194,  370.  Spaniards 
at,  266.     See  Cvmbcrland  Island. 

St.  Augustine,  120  note.  Demp- 
sey's  mission  to,  132.  English 
merchants  ordered  from,  187. 
Reinlorced,  19).  Indians  de- 
coyed to,  200.  Measures  against, 
217,  218,  222,  224.  Siege  of, 
raised,  239,  381.  Effects  ofthe 
expedition  to,  241.  Spanish  pri- 
vateer pursued  to,  and  attacked, 
246.  Don  Manuel  de  Monfea- 
no,  Governor  of,  249.  Spanish 
ships  there,  249.  Spaniards  re- 
turn to,  207.  Stratagem  against, 
in  1743,  272.  See  Florida,  and 
Sanchez. 

St.  Francis,  Fort,  taken,  221. 


St.  John's  River,  140, 141  note.  Out- 
post at,  152.     Cession  as  far  as, 
213.     Spaniards  at,  routed,  220. 
Mouth  of,  a  place  of  rendezvous, 
224.    Oglethorpe  at,  in  1743,  272. 
A  division  line,  316. 
St.  Simons,  bluff" and    sea  point  of, 
80.     New  town  on  the  island  of, 
81    note,    107.     Arrival   of    emi- 
grants at,  in  1739,   135.     Works 
erected  there,  136, 146, 152.     In- 
dian   delegations    to,    138,   150. 
Arrival  of  Oglethorpe  there,  with 
troops  and    emigrants,  IDO.     At- 
tack on,  by  the  Spanish  fleet,  252, 
254,   388.     Fort    at,    dismantled 
and  abandoned,  2-54.     Works  and 
houses   on,   burnt,  266.     Arrival 
of  ships   at,  from    Carolina,  267. 
Fortifications  there  put  in  order, 
273.     See  Frederica. 
Saltzburgers,  persecuted,  81.     Asy- 
lum for,  in  Georgia,  82.     Favors 
to  the,  85.     Their  settlement,  66. 
Embarkations    of,    120.      Aban- 
don  Ebenezer,  132.     Indian  dis- 
satisfaction  with  the,   150.     Or- 
phan-house of  the,  182.     White- 
field's  visit  to  the,  182.     Histori- 
cal notice  ofthe,  3()2,  30.5. 
Sanchez,  Don  Francisco  del   Moral, 
Captain  General  of  Florida  and 
Governor  of  St.  Augustine,  mis- 
sion and  letter  to,  132,  133.     His 
reply,   145.    Second  mission    to, 
149.     Mission    of  Dempster    to, 
157.    Treaty  with,  1.58,  186.    De- 
mands evacuation  of  territory  by 
Oglethorpe,  158.     See  Spaniards. 
Sand-flies,  at  Frederica,  176  note. 
Savannah,  selected  for  settlement, 
54,55.    Public  garden  at, 62,  127. 
Wards  and  tithings  in,  73.     Ar 
rival     of    Saltzburgers     at,    84. 
Measures  for  chaplains    at,    107. 
Arrival  of  Oglethorpe,  emigrants, 
and    missionaries    at,   126.     Im- 
provements there  in  three  years, 
127.     Plants  there,  128.     Mora- 
vians   settle   near,  130.     Confer- 
ence at,  on  the  Indian  trade,  152. 
John   Wesley  at,    101,   177,178. 
Library  sent  to.  177.     Delamotte 
at,  178,  IrO.      Whitefield  at,  180. 
Livingof,presented  to  Whitefield, 
184.   '"The  General's  visit  to,  197. 


422 


INDEX. 


Troubles  tlif  ro,  107.  Indian  visit 
to,  '200.  Address  to  llii>  inliiibi- 
t;ints  of,  2()l .  Ogletliorpo's  return 
to,  iJOo.  Dissatisfactions  at,  iJOO. 
Other  visits  to,  *J()'.t,  'JIO,  iil.'i. 
Privateers  iVoni,  2lo.    Notices  ol", 

317,  :jis. 

Savannali  Hiver,  exploration  of  the, 
54.  Site  for  a  town  on  the, select- 
ed, 54.  Entered  by  the  fealtz- 
burjrors,  83. 

Scenawki,  wife  of  Tonio  Chichi,  re- 
ception of  missionaries  by,  1G4. 

Scotcii,  emigrate  to  (jJeorgia,  1 15. 
At  Darien,  JIG,  13C.  Under 
Captain  Mackay,  138.  At  Fort 
Moosa,  234.     See  M'JiUosh. 

Scout-boats,  307. 

Seal  of  the  Trustees  of  Georgia,  40. 

Silk  culture  in  Georgia,  41,  42,  51, 
34U,  391. 

Silk,  encouragement  of,  117.  Shewn 
to  the  Queen,  117,  31)4. 

Slavery,  of  Job  Solomon,  24.  Stat- 
ute on,  102. 

Sloane,  Sir  Hans,  and  the  African, 
Job,  28,  3G.  Sends  Dr.  William 
Houston,  for  medicinal  plants,  to 
the  West  Indies,  126.  Zealous 
for  Georgia,  129  note. 

Small-pox  among  the  Indians,  96, 
214. 

Soldiers  may  have  wives,  189.  190. 

Solomon.     See  Job. 

South  Carolina,  conference  with  a 
Committee  from,  on  trade  with 
Indians,  152.     See  Carolina. 

Southey,  Robert,  40,  1C7  note,  174. 

Spain,  war  declared  against, 217. 

Spaniards,  take  measures  to  in- 
crease tiieir  forces,  151.  Appre- 
hensions from,  186,  191,  196. 
Embarrass  British  trade,  216. 
Cruel,  216.  Conduct  of,  at  Ame- 
lia Island,  219.  Pursuit  of,  220. 
Attack  Fort  Moosa,  233.  Cruel 
purposes  of,  236.  Watched,  245. 
Pursued,  246.  Abandon  eigh- 
teen Englishmen,  247.  Design 
of,  upon  Georgia,  249.  Made 
prisoners,  248,  255,  256.  Invade 
Frederica,  255,  385.  Stratngem 
against,  257.  Defeated  at  Bloody 
Marsh,  259.  Plot  of  the,  261. 
Dispirited,  262.  Division  among 
the,  263.   'Plot  against  the,  264. 


Repulsed  at  Fort  William,  2GG. 
Riturn  of,  to  St.  Augustine  and 
Havana,  267.     See  St.  .lugnslinc. 

Sparks,  Jared,  letter  from,  333. 

Spinosa,  Diego,  Seignior,  owner  of 
Fort  Diego,  226. 

Siair,  Karl  of.  Field  Marshal,  278. 

Stephens,  William,  Colonel,  Secre- 
tary for  the  artairs  of  tlie  Trus- 
tees, 199.  Facts  res|)ecting,  199 
note.  President  of  the  Council 
and  acting  (jovernor,  200  note. 
On  tlie  mutiny  in  the  camp  and 
attempt  at  a.ssassination,  369. 

Stevens,  William  B.,  M.  D.,  244, 
370.  On  the  Silk  Culture  in 
Georgia,  391 . 

Stewart,  Alexander,  Ensign,  de- 
fence of  Fort  William  by,  266. 

Sugar  colonies,  14. 

Sutherland,  Patrick,  Lieutenant, 
258.  Brigade  Major,  260.  Facts 
as  to,  385. 

Swiss  at  Purrysburgh,  129. 


Teffl,  I.  K.,  85  note,  264  note. 

Tench's  Island,  53. 

Thanksgiving,  268,  387. 

Thomas,  John,  Captain,  119,  120. 

Thomson,  James,  cited,  342,  362, 
365. 

Thunderbolt,  80,  317. 

Tomo  Chichi,  interview  and  treaty 
with,  57,  58.  Banished,  G9. 
Speech  by,  69.  Goes  to  England, 
89,  91,  375.  Speech  by,  to 
the  king,  95  ;  to  the  Queen,  96. 
At  an  Indian  burial,  96.  Arch- 
bishop Wake  and,  97.  At  Eton 
College,  98.  Letter  acknowledg- 
ing civilities  to,  117.  His  wel- 
come of  the  Founder,  129  Mo- 
ravians seek  the  acquaintance  of, 
130.  Aids  Captain  Mackay,  133. 
Visits  St.  Simons,  138.  Serio-com- 
ic adventure  of,  142.  At  Frede- 
rica, 147.  Wants  rules  about 
trade,  153.  Reception  of  mis- 
sionaries by,  162.  Conferences 
of,  witii  Joiin  Wesley,  164,  165. 
Condemns  inconsistency  of  Chris- 
tians, 164  Visited  by  Whitefield, 
180.  Scenawki,  wife  of,  180. 
Visits  the  General,  200.     Anec- 


INDEX. 


423 


dote  of,  360.    Further  particulars 
of,  373. 

Toonahowi,89,99,120, 138.  Names 
Cumberland  Island,  13;).  Pre- 
sent at  Whitefield's  visit  to  Tomo 
Chichi,  188.  In  the  St.  Augus- 
tine expedition,  224.  Incursion 
of,  into  Florida,  248.  Wounded 
and  exasperated,  256.  Killed, 
378. 

Traders,  complaints  as  to,  214. 

Trustees  for  settling  and  establish- 
ing the  colony  of  Georgia,  39. 
Their  seal,  40.  Encouragements 
given  by  the,  43,  4(5.  Written  to, 
by  Thomas  Penn,  C6.  Recep- 
tion of  Oglethorpe  by,  on  his  re- 
turn from  Georgia,  92.  Prohibit 
spirituous  liquors,  101  ;  slavery, 
101.  Dr.  Wilson's  Manual  dedi- 
cated to  the,  104.  Select  new 
settlers,  113.  On  the  Christian 
doctrines,  122.  Rules  for  trade 
with  Indians  proposed  by  them, 
153.  Whitefield's  services  accept- 
ed by  the,  180.  Whitefield's 
reception  by  them,  on  his  return, 
185. 

Turks,  Prince  Eugene's  expedition 
against  the,  4. 

Tybee, the  beacon  there,  125,  316. 


U. 


Uchee  Indians,  in  Georgia,  59. 
Treaty  with,  150.  Land  claimed 
by,  150.  The  General  among 
the ,  2 1 0 .     N  otice  of  the ,  368. 

Umpichi,89,141. 

United  Brethren.     See  Moravians. 

Urlsperger,  Samuel,  Elder  of  the 
Saltzburgers,  82.     Cited,  83,  363. 


Vanderdussen,  Alexander,  Colonel, 
223.  Joins  Oglethorpe,  226.  At 
the  siege  of  St.  Augustine,  229, 
382.  Marches  off,  239.  Power 
given  to,  379. 

Vernon,  Admiral,  despatched  to  the 
West  Indies,  217. 

Von  Reck,  Philip  George  Freder- 
ick, 82,  85,  120.  Desires  a  remo- 
val from  Ebenezer,  130. 


W. 

Wade,  Marshal,  279  note.  Suppres- 
sion of  the  Rebellion  by,  280. 

Wake,  William,  Archbishop  of  Can- 
terbury, reception  of  Indians  by, 
97. 

Walpole,  Horace,  291. 

Warden,  on  the  settlement  of  Geor- 
gia, 48. 

Warren,  Sir  Peter,  221.  At  Anas- 
tasia,  230.  Foregoes  an  attack  on 
St.  Augustine,  238. 

Warton,Dr.,9,  289. 

Wesley,  Charles,  103.  Embarks 
for  Georgia,  121,  171.  Goes  to 
St.  Simons,  135  ;  to  Frederica, 
171.  Meeting  of  Ingham  and, 
171.  Unpleasant  situation  of, 
171,1 72.  Oglethorpe's  demeanor 
towards,  173.  Receives  despatch- 
es, 174.  Sails  for  England,  174. 
Puts  into  Boston,  175.  Arrives 
in  England,  176.  Writes  in  Latin 
and  Greek,  176.  Ingham's  visit 
to  John  Wesley  respecting,  177. 
Influence  of,  on  Whitefield,  179. 
Poem  by,  to  Whitefield,  179. 
Sutrorests  an  Orphan-House,  182. 

Wesley,  John,  107, 108,  110.  Em- 
barks for  Georgia,  121.  Anecdote 
of  Oglethorpe  and,  124.  At  Sa- 
vannah. 135,  161.  Reception  of, 
by  Tomo  Chichi,  163,  164  ;  by 
Scenawki,     164.      Disappointed, 

165.  Burton's    letter    to,    cited, 

166.  His  zeal  and  personalities, 

167.  Unpopular,  1(57  note,  168. 
Sophia  Hopkins  and,  168.  Per 
secuted,  169.  Returns  to  Eng 
land,  169.  Visit  to,  by  Ingham, 
respecting  Charles  Wesley,  177. 
His  letter'to  Whitefield,  179. 

Wesley,  Samuel,  Reverend,  110, 
111. 

Wesley,  Samuel,  jr.,  poetry  by.  111. 

Whitefield,  George,  170.  His  men- 
tion of  Ingham,  177.  Interestof, 
in  Georgia,  178,  179.  Wesley's 
letter  to,  179.  Poem  to,  179. 
Goes  to  Savannah,  180.  Received 
by  Delamotle,  180.  Preaches, 
180.  Sick,  180.  Visits  Tomo 
Chichi,  180.  His  ministerial  la- 
bors, 181.  His  interest  in  an 
Orphan   House,  182.     Visits  the 


424 


INDEX. 


Saltzburgers,  182.  Visits  Frcdc- 
rica  and  other  places,  1H3.  On 
the  first  settlers,  18:?.  lieturiis 
to  England,  18-J.  Reception  of, 
by  the  'I'riistees,  181.  Presented 
with  the  livin;^  of  Savannah,  181. 
Declines  salary,  184.  Keturns 
and  lays  tlie  foundation  of  the 
Orphan  House,  184.  On  the 
Spanish  evacuation  of  Florida, 
2(i!). 

Wigjran,  William,  G7. 

William,  Fort,  13!).  Opposes  Span- 
ish, 250.  Reinforced,  251.  De- 
fence of,  by  Stewart,  2(i(;,  3!)0. 

Williamson,  Mr.,  prosecutes  John 
Wesley,  ICt). 


Wilson,  Alexander,  arraigned,  21. 

AVilson,  TlK)mas,  Hislioj),  Manual 
by,  for  the  Indians,  104,  1G2. 
Cited,  104,  10(1. 

Wilson,  'I'hoiuas,  Dr.,  letter  to,  106. 

Wrinrlit,  Sir  Nathan,  father  of  Mrs. 
Ojrlethorpe,  270,  :$05. 

Yale  College,  gifts   to,  336. 

Yamacraw,  54.  Residence  of  To- 
nio  Chichi,  .57.  Missionaries  in- 
vited to,  1(35. 

Z. 

Zweitzer,  Dr.,  85,  86. 


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